BV  2830  .16  1917 

Inman,  Samuel  Guy,  1877- 

1965. 
Christian  cooperation  m 

Latin  America  


SEP  24  19] 

Logical  st^v 


Christian  Cooperation 

IN 

LATIN  AMERICA 


SAMUEL  GUY  INMAN 

Elxecutive  Secretary  of  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Latin  America 


Report  of  a  Visit  to  Mexico,  Cuba  and 
South    America,     March-October,     1917 

PRINTED  FOR  PRIVATE  CIRCULATION 


COMMITTEE  ON  COOPERATION 

IN    LATIN   AMERICA 

25  MADISON  AVENUE 

NEW  YORK  CITY 


TABLE  OF   CONTENTS 

PAGE 

FOREWORD 1 

I.     INTRODUCTION   2 

II.     MAJOR  IMPRESSIONS   ". . .       6 

1.  The  Present  Offers  an  Unprecedented  Opportunity  for 

Enlarging  Christian  Work. 

The  People  are  Increasingly  Open-Minded. 

A  changing  Attitude  toward  North  America. 

Our  Entrance   Into   the   \\  ar. 

Growing  Commercial  Relations. 

More  Sympathetic  Attitude  toward  Latin  America. 

Exchange  of  University  Professors  and  Students. 

Influence  of  Missionaries. 

2.  The  Paucity  of  Religious  Work  Is  Everywhere  Evident. 

General  Lack  of  Interest  in  Religion. 
Roman  Catholicism  Not  Meeting  the  Need. 
Evangelical  Jl'ork  Astonishingly  Limited. 
The  Work  among  the  Indians. 

3.  In  Evangelical  Work  There  Should  Be  More  Emphasis 

ON  the  Principle  of  Service. 

An  Evangelistic  Program  not  Sufficient. 

Latin  America  Needs  a  Gospel  of  Social  Power. 

Lessons  from  the  Mexican  Revolution. 

Cooperation  to  Meet  a  Need. 

4.  The  Training  of  Native  Leadership  Is  the  Greatest  Need. 

The  Results  of  Past  Neglect. 

Proposed  Cooperative  Educational  Program. 

People  must  he  Reached  through  their  ozvn  Nationals. 

5.  The  Necessity  of  Better  Understanding  Between  Forces 

in  the  Field  and  the  Home  Administration. 

More  Frequent  Visitation  of  the  Field. 

Missionaries  Should  Be  Kept  in  Closer  Touch  with  the 
Home  Church. 

More  Definite  Plans  Needed. 

Enlarging  the  Usefulness  of  the  Committee  on  Cooper- 
ation. 

III.    THE  COOPERATIVE  PROGRAM  IN  LATIN  AMERICA.     32 

1.  Origin    of    the    Committee    on    Cooperation    in    Latin 

America. 

2.  Authorization  for  Visit  of  the  Executive  Secretary. 

3.  A    Review    of    Cooperative    Enterprises    Operating    and 

Planned. 

4.  Questions  Discussed  with  the  Workers  in  the  Field. 


CONTENTS    (Continued) 

IV.  MEXICO    38 

V.  CUBA    47 

VI.  PANAMA    53 

VII.  PERU    60 

VIII.  BOLIVIA    12> 

IX.  CHILE    85 

X.  ARGENTINA    97 

XI.  URUGUAY    109 

XIL  PARAGUAY    113 

XIIL  BRAZIL  122 

XIV.  CONCLUSIONS    152 

1.  Occupation  of  Territory. 

N ew  Forces  Needed. 
Readjustment  of  Present  Fields. 
Care  in  Transfer  of  Fields. 
Needs  of  Indians. 
Financial  Development. 

2.  Educational  Problems. 

Coordination  of  Educational  and  Evangelistic  Work. 
English  as  the  Medium  of  Instruction. 
Need  of  Specially  Prepared  Teachers. 
Other  Suggestions. 

3.  Message  and  Method. 

Attitude  toward  Roman  Catholicism. 

Union  Evangelistic  Campaigns. 

Methods  in  New  Fields. 

Importance  of_  Language  Study. 

Prejudice  against  Protestantism  as  a  Foreign  Religion. 

Nationalism. 

Unity  and  Diversity  of  Different  Countries. 

Open-mindedness. 

Growing  Conception  of  Religion. 

4.  The  Next  Step. 

Appendix.       I.     Itinerary   of    Air.   Inman's   Trip 174 

Appendix.     II.     Constitutions    of    the    Regional    Committee 175 

Appendix.  III.     Membership    of    the    Committee    on    Cooperation    in 

Latin  America  ISl 

Appendix.  IV.     Officers    and    Committee    Chairmen    of    the    Regional 

Committees     183 

Appendix.     V.     Evangelical  Publications  in  Latin  America 185 


FOREWORD 

A  familiarity  with  the  exhaustive  reports  of  the  Panama  Con- 
gress and  its  Regional  Conferences;  which  so  clearly  state  the 
need  of  Latin  America,  and  outline  a  strategic  missionary  policy, 
is  taken  for  granted  in  the  present  report.  The  Panama  Con- 
gress settled  once  for  all  the  question  of  the  legitimacy  of  evan- 
gelical mission  work  in  Latin  America,  an.d  of  the  contributions 
it  has  already  made  to  the  welfare  of  these  nations.  Only  the 
matters  that  seem  most  insistent  and  practical,  a  year  after  the 
holding  of  the  conferences,  are  here  discussed.  I  have  supposed 
that  both  missionaries  and  those  at  home  who  are  interested  in 
the  technical  questions  of  mission  policy,  desire,  as  a  result  of 
my  visit  to  the  field,  a  critical  study  of  our  problems  rather  than 
an  encouraging  resume  of  achievements.  It  would  be  a  pleasure 
to  recount  the  unselfish  service  and  the  encouraging  results  found 
in  every  country  visited.  The  fellowship  with  earnest,  faithful 
missionaries  and  national  leaders,  who  so  wrap  themselves  around 
one's  heart,  was  a  privilege  continually  met  and  profoundly  ap- 
preciated.    But  such  matters  belong  to  another  type  of  report. 

The  stress  of  the  present  world  situation  seems  to  justify  the 
arrangement  of  material,  and  the  emphasis  I  have  placed  upon 
what  some  of  my  fellow-missionaries  would  criticise  as  a  "mix- 
ing in  politics."  I  only  ask  that  each  reader  will  bear  in  mind 
the  fact  that  the  whole  mission  world  is  affected  by  the  crisis 
now  upon  us,  and  that  it  must  influence  our.  policies  whether  we 
approve  or  not. 

At  the  risk  of  some  repetition,  I  have  discussed,  in  the  first 
part  of  the  report,  the  questiona  of  primary  importance  at  the 
Dresent  time..  Then  follow  the  chapters  on  the  different  coun- 
tries, written  on  the  field,  which  tell  the  story  of  the  trip,  with 
impressions  in  the  order  in  which  they  came.  A  closing  section 
re-emphasizes  a  few  questions  to  which  I  desire  to  give  special 
prominence. 

The  deepest  impression  made  upon  my  mind  is  that  North 
America  has  done  so  little  in  the  face  of  such  a  gigantic,  attract- 
ve,  impelling  missionary  task.  Not  even  the  demands  of  a 
,vorld  war  must  deter  the  Evangelical  Church  from  enlarging  its 
Drogram  for  these  mighty  lands,  opened  more  than  ever  to  us 
)ecause  of  the  world  war.     Great  Britain,  realizing  the   future 


greatness  of  Latin  America,  is  saying  to  some  of  her  choicest 
sons  now  in  the  South,  "Stay  where  you  are;  you  can  do  more 
for  the  Empire  by  firmly  establishing  your  country's  influence  in 
those  important  lands  than  you  can  do  by  fighting  in  Flanders." 

There  is  probably  no  part  of  the  world  where,  when  peace  is 
declared,  the  nations  now  at  war  will  meet  in  such  keen  compe- 
tition. Every  day  brings  a  new  realization  of  the  importance  of 
these  countries.  Beginning  at  the  Rio  Grande  and  stretching  on 
down  through  Mexico,  across  the  fruit  belts  of  Central  America, 
across  Panama,  through  Venezuela,  Colombia  and  the  Brazilian 
tropics,  over  the  abounding  plains  of  the  Argentine  to  the  Strait 
of  Magellan,  lies  the  largest  stretch  of  undeveloped  fertile  land 
and  mineral  wealth  on  the  globe.  Just  as  the  most  remarkable 
developments  of  the  Nineteenth  Century  took  place  in  North 
America,  so  the  most  wonderful  developments  of  the  Twentieth 
Century  will  take  place  in  Latin  America.  This  is  the  crucial 
hour  in  which  to  direct  this  development  into  the  formation  of 
truly  Christian  nations. 

\ 


1.     INTRODUCTION 

In  the  present  world  war,  South  America  is  the  only  continent 
that  has  neither  seen  fighting  nor  sent  soldiers  to  the  front.  At 
the  same  time,  she  has  been  more  peculiarly  dependent  on  the 
leading  belligerent  nations  than  any  other  continent.  Sitting 
apart,  watching  the  world  struggle  between  France,  her  intel- 
lectual mother,  England,  to  whom  she  is  held  by  steel  bands  of 
capital,  and  Germany,  whose  materialistic  "Kultur"  and  commer- 
cial energy  have  more  and  more  influenced  her  in  recent  years. 
South  America  affords  a  vantage  ground  for  the  study  of  the 
present  world  crisis.  Her  reaction  to  this  crisis  is  a  particularly 
illuminating  comment  on  her  character.  Our  entrance  into  the 
war  is  causing  a  material  change  in  her  attitude  to  North  Amer- 
ica, which  has  always  had  an  important  bearing  upon  our  mission 
work.  Those  who  have  studied  the  historic  reasons  for  this  atti- 
tude will  appreciate  what  a  University  Professor  said  to  me  in 
Buenos  Aires :  "By  instinct,  we  hate  you  North  Americans ;  by 
reason,  we  love  you."  Instinct  and  reason  are  struggling  for  the 
mastery  in  the  South  Americans  to-day  as  never  before. 

So  I  am  particularly  thankful  for  the  decision  which  led  me  to 
South  America  at  this  time,  in  spite  of  difficulties  involved.  I 
was  in  Vera  Cruz  when  the  United  States  declared  war,  waiting 
for  a  boat  to  Havana.  On  arriving  at  the  latter  city,  I  found 
that  Cuba  had  just  followed  the  United  States  into  the  w^ar. 
Secret  service  men  were  everywhere,  tying  red  tape  tighter  around 
travel  conditions  ;  nearly  all  passengers  south  had  canceled  their 
reservations ;  every  one  seemed  sure  there  were  U-boat  bases  in 
Central  America  and  Colombia,  and  friends  advised  my  turning 
north  instead  of  south.  But  it  seemed  that  if  men  were  willing 
to  risk  all  for  war,  some  should  be  willing  to  risk  something  to 
preach  the  gospel  of  peace  and  good-will  toward  men.  To  the 
Father  of  us  all,  and  to  the  many  friends  who  stood  behind  the 
endeavor  with  intercession,  is  due  the  fact  that  every  country 
was  entered  exactly  on  the  day  called  for  by  my  itinerary  made 
out  six  months  before.  Every  day  of  the  nearly  eight  months 
was  a  working  day  wnth  from  two  to  six  meetings  when  not 
traveling.  No  time  was  lost  on  account  of  sickness.  In  each  of 
the  countries  visited  there  was  held  a  representative,  unhurried 
meeting  of  the  interdenominational  Committee  on  Cooperation ; 
plans  were  put  into  operation  for  many  cooperative  enterprises ; 


and  practically  every  interview  sought  from  presidents  of  re- 
publics to  humble  Christian  workers  was  granted.  The  greatest 
privilege  of  such  a  trip,  then,  is  the  strengthening  of  one's  faith 
in  prayer. 

"Away  in  foreign  lands,  they  wondered  how 
Their  simple  word  had  power ; 
At  home  the  Christians,  two  or  three, 
Had  met  to  pray  an  hour." 

I  left  New  York  March  1 1  by  rail,  and  crossed  the  Rio  Grande 
to  Piedras  Negras,  Mexico.  From  there  I  traveled  the  entire 
distance  through  Monterey,  Saltillo  and  Alexico  City  to  Vera 
Cruz  by  rail.  Our  trains  were  preceded  by  pilot  trains  with  a 
military  escort,  and  we  did  not  travel  at  night.  But  the  only 
time  I  heard  a  rifle  shot  was  when  a  friend  fired  his  Winchester 
to  scare  the  crowd,  while  an  accomplice  shouted  to  all  the  pas- 
sengers. "Down  on  the  floor!" — and  everybody  got  down! 

The  trip  across  the  gulf  and  to  Panama  was  ominous  but  un- 
eventful. The  Canal  Zone  always  gives  the  impression  of  effi- 
ciency, but  in  war  times  doubly  so.  No  one  visiting  there,  where 
the  army  is  supreme,  can  believe  all  that  is  said  of  our  military 
inefficiency.  I  spent  two  weeks  making  a  survey  of  the  Zone  and 
of  the  Republic.  It  was  not  permitted  to  land  in  Guayaquil  on 
account  of  the  prevalence  of  yellow  fever  and  bubonic  plague. 
After  a  week  in  historic  Lima,  "The  City  of  the  Kings,"  a  visit 
was  made  to  Arequipa,  most  fanatical  of  cities,  and  then  to  far- 
away Cuzco,  the  ancient  capital  of  the  Incas.  This  part  of  the 
trip  was  on  the  roof  of  the  western  world,  at  a  constant  eleva- 
tion of  from  eleven  to  fourteen  thousand  feet,  and  always  in 
the  presence  of  snow-covered  mountains  as  high  again. 

Crossing  Lake  Titicaca,  the  highest  body  of  navigable  water  in 
the  world,  one  reaches  La  Paz,  the  quaint,  isolated  capital  of 
Bolivia,  most  picturesque  of  cities.  From  there  to  Antofagasta, 
Chile,  by  rail,  is  a  cold  two  days'  journey,  the  thermometer  reg- 
istering, on  the  first  day  of  June,  17  degrees  below  zero  at  Uyuni, 
only  18  degrees  from  the  Equator. 

In  Chile,  I  visited  all  the  important  centers  from  the  North 
to  the  South,  as  far  as  Temuco.  the  center  of  the  country  of  the 
Arucanian  Indians. 

Snow  usually  blocks  the  Andes  in  July,  but  I  was  fortunate 
enough  to  make  that  wonderful  passage  when  there  was  just 
enough  snow  to  intensify  the  grandeur,  but  not  enough  to  stop 
our  train.      Instead  of   going  immediatelv  to   Buenos   Aires,  as 


most  travelers  do,  I  first  visited  the  cities  of  Mendoza,  Cordova, 
and  Tucuman.  These  are  splendid  modern  cities.  Tucuman,  the 
most  northern  city  of  Argentina,  with  100,000  people,  is  particu- 
larly interesting  and  progressive.  With  a  later  trip  to  the  great 
southern  seaport  of  Argentina,  Bahia  Blanca,  I  saw  all  the  fron- 
tiers as  well  as  the  capital  of  this  most  progressive  of  South 
American  countries.  After  Alontevideo,  a  thousand  miles  up  the 
Parana  by  steamer,  brought  me  to  Asuncion,  Paraguay,  far  re- 
moved from  modern  life,  in  the  very  heart  of  the  continent,  and 
one  of  the  most  i'nteresting  parts  of  the  world.  It  was  five  days' 
journey  from  there  through  a  lonely  country,  seldom  visited,  to 
Iguazu  Falls,  wild,  mighty,  awe-inspiring ;  fifty  feet  higher  and 
with  a  mightier  volume  of  water  than  Niagara.  Entering  Brazil 
from  the  Argentine  border,  we  traveled  eighty-eight  hours  by 
train  to  Sao  Paulo,  and  were  still  in  Southern  Brazil.  Ten  days 
from  Rio  de  Janeiro  on  an  ocean  steamer  were  necessary  to  reach 
Para,  the  mouth  of  the  Amazon.  And  there,  on  the  equator,  one 
is  nearer  New  York  than  to  the  southernmost  point  in  Brazil ! 
The  trip  from  Para  to  New  York  took  thirteen  days,  on  the  first 
German  boat  Brazil  had  put  into  service,  arriving  home  Octo- 
ber 20. 

Aly  first  visit  to  South  America,  after  a  ten  years'  residence  in 
Mexico,  was  made  in  the  first  six  months  of  1914.  It  covered 
only  the  coast  and  capital  cities.  This  last  visit  has  included 
trips  to  the  two  interior  republics  that  have  no  coast  line,  Bolivia 
and  Paraguay,  and  a  traversing  from  practically  one  end  to  the 
other  of  six  out  of  eleven  countries  entered.  The  impressions 
on  this  second  trip  have  not  been  contradictory  to  those  of  the 
first,  but  supplementary  and  naturally  more  inclusive.  On  the 
first  trip  I  felt  the  unity  of  all  Latin  America,  and  the  similarity 
of  the  problems  of  each  country ;  on  the  second,  the  individuality 
of  each  nation.  On  the  first,  the  irrehgion  of  the  educated 
classes,  and  the  need  for  sending  the  best  prepared  missionaries 
to  work  for  them  ;  on  the  second,  the  hunger  of  the  educated 
classes  for  spiritual  life,  and  the  need  of  sending  men  capable  of 
training  a  native  Christian  leadership,  able  to  supply  this  hunger ; 
then  the  lack  of  fellowship  and  cooperation  among  the  Protestant 
forces,  now  the  intense  interest  in  cooperation  ;  then  I  realized 
the  indifference  toward  the  social  message  of  the  gospel,  now  the 
realization  of  the  imperative  of  a  program  of  service ;  then  the 
abiding,  ever-present  prejudice  against  North  America,  now  the 
better  understanding  and  growing  regard  for  North  Americans. 


II.     MAJOR    IMPRESSIONS 

Certain  outstanding  impressions  of  this  last  journey  it  seems 
wise  to  enumerate  at  the  outset  before  describing  the  different 
countries  which  occasioned  them. 

I.     There  is  at  present  an  Unprecedented  Opportunity  for 

ENLARGING   OUR    CHRISTIAN    WORK   IN    LaTIN    AmERICA. 

I.  The  People  Are  Increasingly  Open-minded. — The  people 
of  Latin  America  are  doing  more  fundamental  thinking  than  ever 
before  in  their  history.  They  have  hitherto  been  ruled  more  by 
sentiment  than  reason.  They  have  rested  on  the  glorious  past  of 
the  Latin  race,  have  magnified  the  differences  between  Latin 
Catholics  and  Anglo-Saxon  Protestants,  and  have  minimized  the 
great  economic  moral  bases  of  American  solidarity.  They  had 
ceased  to  regard  religion  as  a  real  factor  in  a  modern  life  as  they 
were  developing  it.  But  this  world  war,  with  its  rude  shock  to 
their  economic  progress  and  to  many  of  their  philosophic  the- 
ories, supposedly  beyond  attack,  is  compelling  them  to  re-examine 
their  individual  and  national  relationships  and  to  restate  their 
theories.  This  spirit  of  inquiry,  this  willingness  to  listen,  thi! 
new  readiness  to  seek  after  God,  if  perchance  they  may  find 
Him,  impresses  one  profoundly  as  he  talks  with  men  of  every 
status  from  university  professors  to  laboring  men. 

While  I  was  in  Buenos  Aires,  a  professor  in  the  university 
was  giving  a  series  of  lectures  on  Emerson  and  the  significance 
of  the  Unitarian  and  Puritan  movements  in  New  England.  These 
lectures  made  a  pronounced  impression.  ^Nlany  things  that 
Protestant  missionaries  would  like  to  have  said,  this  university 
professor  was  telling  the  young  men  of  Argentina.  He  told  me 
that  he  had  been  contemplating  a  congress  on  religions  that 
would  face  the  problem  of  establishing  standards  of  morality  and 
service  in  Argentine  life.  He  was  convinced  that  all  of  Argen- 
tina's religious  forces,  including  Jewish,  Mohammedan  and 
Buddhist,  would  send  a  representation  to  such  a  congress.  He 
had  been  wanting  to  get  in  touch  with  some  of  the  Protestant 
missionaries  in  Buenos  Aires.  They  were  so  little  known  in 
educational  circles,  however,  that  he  had  not  found  a  way  to  ap- 
proach them.  He  had  been  contemplating  writing  to^  the  Uni- 
tarians in  Boston,  inviting  them  to  organize  a  church  in  Buenos 
Aires   which   would   appeal   to   the   intelligent   classes.      He   ex- 


pressed  a  desire  to  talk  with  our  missionaries  about  work  among 
the  intellectual  classes,  and  offered  to  guide  them  in  avoiding 
mistakes  by  which  Anglo-Saxons  could  easily  prejudice  these 
classes  against  their  work. 

In  Chile,  one  of  the  richest  men  of  Santiago  came  at  night  ta 
the  young  pastor  of  a  Methodist  church,  and  cried  out  for  help 
in  his  spiritual  struggle.  The  world  war  and  the  breaking  up 
of  all  that  seemed  permanent  in  civilzation  had  so  upset  him 
that  he  felt  he  could  not  stand  it  longer.  How  must  he  think 
■about  God,  and  how  could  he  find  peace  in  his  heart,  were  the 
outcryings  of  his  soul. 

I  was  impressed  with  the  large  number  of  individuals  and  or- 
ganizations that  are  endeavoring  in  some  way  to  serve  the  peo- 
ple. The  Temperance  Society  of  Peru,  which  is  composed  of 
some  of  the  leading  men  of  the  country,  is  doing  a  remarkable 
work.  Some  of  our  missionaries  have  been  elected  to  member- 
ship, and  are  helping  with  the  backing  of  these  influential  men, 
to  foster  a  program  of  service. 

In  Chile  and  Uruguay  I  found  a  large  number  of  societies 
promoting  educational  and  charitable  work  which  were  quite 
independent  of  the  Government.  In  Argentina  there  are  large 
groups,  ranging  in  their  activities  from  discussions  in  university 
halls  to  socialistic  meetings  among  workmen  on  the  street  cor- 
ners, which  indicate  spiritual  hunger. 

2.  A  Changing  Attitude  Toward  North  America. — In  the  past 
Latin  America  has  been  ruled  largely  by  Latin  sentiment ;  her 
people  have  considered  themselves  apart  from  Anglo-Saxons  and 
opposed  to  their  philosophy  of  life.  They  have  held  it  to  be  un- 
patriotic to  adopt  the  religion  or  any  other  features  of  North 
American  life.  Propagandists  like  Ugarte  have  continually  urged 
the  necessity  of  a  closer  relationship  between  the  Latin-American 
countries  and  the  European-Latin  countries  in  opposition  to  what 
they  considered  the  materialistic  influence  and  political  program 
of  the  North. 

This  attitude  is  surely,  though  slowly,  undergoing  a  change. 
That  the  old  bitter  prejudice,  so  disheartening  and  disabling  to 
the  average  North  American  missionary,  was  disappearing,  was 
one  of  my  most  dominant  impressions. 

All  throughout  my  tour,  beginning  at  Mexico.  I  felt  this 
change  in  sentiment,  but  not  until  I  arrived  in  Chile  did  it  come 
over  me  with  full  force.  Three  years  before,  I  felt  like  leaving 
Chile  on  the  first  train,  for  I  heard  on  every  hand  unpleasant 


references  to  the  United  States.  The  students  of  the  universities 
were  particularly  hostile.  This  time,  when  I  called  upon  a  pro- 
fessor in  the  National  University,  I  was  asked  to  address  one 
of  his  English  classes;  later  on,  another ;' till  I  found  myself  giv- 
ing a  whole  morning  of  talks.  These  led  to  a  conference  at  one 
of  the  big  theatres,  secured  for  the  occasion  by  the  university 
students.  The  theme  they  wanted  me  to  discuss  was,  "How  to 
Develop  Closer  Relations  between  the  United  States  and  Chile." 
At  the  close  of  the  lecture  a  full  hour  was  spent  answering  their 
eager  and  pointed  questions.  I  spoke  very  frankly,  analyzing  the' 
good  and  bad  in  the  Anglo-Saxon  and  the  Latin,  pointing  out 
why  each  had  failed  to  understand  the  other  in  the  past.  That 
session  with  these  brilliant  young  people  was  a  most  delightful 
experience.  Their  hunger  for  knowledge  about  North  American 
life,  particularly  concerning  our  universities,  was  amazing  and 
refreshing. 

In  Pernambuco  I  accidentally  met  the  director  of  the  Law 
School  that  has  trained  the  leaders  of  Northern  Brazil  for  half 
a  century.  He  invited  me  to  give  an  address  to  the  students  on 
"Closer  Intellectual  Relationships  between  the  Two  Americas." 
This  occasion  became  quite  a  demonstration  of  international 
friendliness,  the  official  life  of  the  city  being  represented. 

In  Paraguay,  the  deputation  of  four  missionaries,  which  went 
up  to  this  far-distant  land  to  investigate  the  wise  initiation  of 
misson  work,  was  taken  in  hand  by  the  National  Director  of  Pub- 
lic Instruction,  its  entertainment  being  directed  by  the  Govern- 
ment. These  people  showed  in  many  ways  their  real  desire  for 
friendship  with  the  United  States. 

The  following  editorial,  published  on  July  4,  191 7,  in  a  leading 
daily  of  Buenos  Aires,  shows  what  the  United  States's  entrance 
into  the  war  has  done  toward  changing  this  attitude : 

"The  circumstances  in  which  we  find  ourselves  to-day  on  this  anniver- 
sary of  the  North  American  nation  serves  to  define  a  double  principle  of 
Americanism  and  democracy.  This  celebration  in  other  years  has  been  an 
occasion  for  rejoicing  only  for  the  United  States.  She  could  with  patriotic 
joy  stop  in  her  march  and  contemplate  with  satisfaction  the  road  traveled 
since  the  days  of  that  memorable  declaration.  .  .  .  Other  people  joined 
the  celebration  with  a  cordiality  more  official  and  diplomatic  than  real. 

"To-day  all  is  different.  The  United  States,  by  the  power  of  that  great 
republican  virtue  which  is  the  supporter  of  the  right,  is  for  the  whole 
world  not  only  a  nation  engaged  in  a  knightly  war,  but  an  apostle  in  ac- 
tion. Some  four  years  ago  the  Latin  author,  Ruben  Dario,  was  able  to 
say,  led  astray  by  superficial  observations,  that  the  United  States,  which 
had  everything,  lacked  but  one  thing — God. 


"To-day  this  cannot  be  said,  for  the  crusade  of  the  United  States  and 
the  serene  and  eloquent  words  of  Wilson  have  a  religious  character,  now 
that  they  intimate  the  abandonment  and  disregard  of  .material  interests  in 
the  face  of  the  defense  of  the  ideal. 

'■Quietly,  without  the  sound  of  trumpets  or  noise,  the  United  States 
has  entered  the  contest,  and  thus  it  returns  to  noble  France  the  generous 
contribution  of  that  great  Frenchman,  Lafayette,  the  American  national 
hero.  If  America  stands  for  anything  in  the  world  and  in  history,  it  is 
liberty.  Other  peoples  have  been  formed  by  reason  of  conquest,  or  of 
religion,  but  the  Americans  were  born  out  of  the  idea  of  liberty. 

"In  this  sentiment  is  found  the  unity  of  San  Martin,  Bolivar  and  Wash- 
ington. It  matters  little  that  history  registers  this  or  that  disturbance, 
and  this  or  that  variaion.  That  is  the  sentiment,  and  that  is  the  thing 
that  after  conquering  all  cruel  tyrannies  and  retrogressive  seditions,  has 
overcome  all. 

"So  in  the  awful  conflict  which  to-day  is  shaking  the  world  the  United 
States  is  bearing  the  burden  of  all  America,  because  she  is  on  the  side  of 
liberty.  She  is  the  big  sister  in  years  and  in  power  among  the  American 
nations.     This  place  belongs  to  her,  and  worthily  has  she  taken  it." 

For  the  first  time  in  the  history  of  a  South  American  nation, 
Brazil  has  openly  declared  that  the  prime  reason  for  her  taking 
a  serious  political  step  was  to  follow  the  leadership  of  the  United 
States.  In  her  note  to  the  other  South  /\merican  powers,  an- 
nouncing the  breaking  of  relationships  with  Germany,  she  said : 

"Brazil  has  never  had,  nor  has  it  now,  warlike  ambitions.  If  it  has 
heretofore  abstained  from  taking  sides  in  the  European  conflict,  it  has 
not  been  able  to  continue  indifferent  since  the  United  States  has  been 
drawn  into  the  war  without  any  further  motives '  than  simply  those  of 
action  in  the  name  of  international  justce  and  order.  ...  If  up  to  the 
present  the  relative  lack  of  reciprocity  on  the  part  of  the  American  repub- 
lics has  deprived  the  Monroe  Doctrine  of  its  real  character,  permitting  an 
interpretation  scarcely  founded  on  the  prerogative  of  sovereignty,  the 
present  conditions  place  Brazil  at  the  side  of  the  United  States  of  America 
at  this  critical  moment  in  the  history  of  the  world,  and  continues  to  give 
our  political  relationships  a  practical  form  of  continental  solidarity." 

In  the  same  way  Panama,  in  its  recent  declaration  of  war, 
savs  that,  "Neutrality  is  impossible  in  a  conflict  where  the  vital 
interests  of  the  United  States  are  involved,"  and  Cuba,  Bolivia, 
Paraguay  and  other  countries  have  given  voice  to  similar  senti- 
ments. 

The  recent  visit  of  the  North  American  fleet  under  the  com- 
mand of  Admiral  Caperton  to  South  American  waters  has  pro- 
moted these  friendly  relations  in  a  remarkable  way.  In  order 
that  the  fleet  might  visit  ^Montevideo  when  Uruguay  had  not  yet 
broken  relations  with  the  Central  Powers,  the  Government  pro- 
mulgated the  following  special  decree,  which  will  no  doubt  be  of 
great  weight  in  future  international  relationships  in  America : 
"It  is  hereby  declared  that  no  American  nation  will  be  considei'ed 


as   a  belligerent   which   is   in  a   state   of  war  in   defense   of   its 
rights  against  countries  outside  of  this  continent." 

It  was  my  privilege  to  be  in  Brazil,  Uruguary  and  Argentina 
during  the  American  fleet's  visit,  and  to  witness  one  of  the  most 
remarkable  receptions  that  it  ever  received.  In  Montevideo  the 
whole  city  united  in  its  entertainment.  As  the  Minister  of  Public 
Instruction  of  Uruguay  expressed  it  to  me :  "I  want  you  to  un- 
derstand that  this  is  no  official  reception ;  it  is  a  reception  by  the 
people  themselves.  I  have  been  working  for  closer  relationship* 
between  my  country  and  yours  for  thirty  years,  but  I  never  im- 
agined it  was  possible  for  them  to  come  in  this  remarkable  way 
so  quickly.  We  are  profoundly  impressed  with  your  Admiral 
and  with  your  men ;  the  men  are  proving  themselves  models  of 
morality  for  our  young  men."  The  whole  festive  program  was 
practically  directed  by  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association, 
to  whom  the  Government  turned  over  a  large  building  near  the 
wharf,  where  it  opened  a  reading  room,  a  writing  room,  a  recep- 
tion hall,  a  bureau  of  information,  and  a  restaurant.  Entertain- 
ments were  given  each  night,  mainly  by  the  young  people  of  the 
churches  and  by  social  organizations.  On  the  last  Sunday  night 
of  the  visit,  a  remarkable  meeting  was  held,  lasting  for  nearly 
four  hours.  The  Dean  of  the  literati  of  Uruguay,  Dr.  Juan 
Zorilla  de  San  Martin,  said,  in  speaking  to  the  boys :  "We  love 
the  United  States  as  a  great  collectivity ;  we  love  you  as  citizens 
of  the  United  States,  but  we .  want  you  to  understand  that  we 
love  you  as  individuals.  We  talk  of  our  common  mother — de- 
mocracy ;  there  is  some  one  else  still  dearer  to  us — our  common 
Father."  Then,  leaving  the  interpreter,  he  repeated  in  a  charm- 
ing broken  English  the  Lord's  Prayer.  It  is  worth  while  to  note 
that  Dr.  Zorilla  is  one  of  the  leaders  of  the  Catholic  party  in 
Uruguay.  Such  a  man  speaking  such  sentiments  on  the  plat- 
form of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  is  significant  of 
a  new  day  in  South  America. 

A  university  student,  bringing  greetings  from  his  comrades  to 
the  sailors  at  the  same  meeting,  said:  'T  want  to  confess  that 
we  students  have  had  a  great  deal  of  prejudice  against  the  United 
States.  We  had  feared  that  your  country  had  political  designs 
upon  South  America.  But  all  that  we  needed  to  show  us  that 
these  fears  were  groundless  was  to  know  you."  The  work  of 
the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  was  so  greatly  appre- 
ciated that  in  a  building  campaign,  launched  a  few  weeks  later. 


they  raised  more  than  $100,000,  four  individuals  giving  $10,000 
apiece. 

The  invitation  for  the  fleet  to  visit  Buenos  Aires  was  only 
given  after  a  prolonged  struggle  between  the  people  on  one  side 
and  the  pro-German  elements  on  the  other.  I  was  in  Argentina 
during  the  month  of  this  struggle  and  have  witnessed  no  more 
interesting  incident  regarding  national  relationships  during  fif- 
teen years  in  Latin  America.  A  demonstration  directed  by  many 
of  the  leading  men  of  Argentina  was  given  in  one  of  the  theatres 
of  the  city  on  the  4th  of  July.  Some  of  the  addresses  will  be- 
come historic  documents  in  American  international  relationships. 
The  meeting  had  the  desired  effect,  in  that  the  Government 
agreed  to  invite  the  fleet. 

Another  reason  for  a  closer  friendship  between  North  and 
South  America  is  the  growing  commercial  relationships.  Before 
the  war,  South  America  received  the  capital  for  developing  her 
railroads,  mines  and  other  industries  from  Europe.  She  received 
also  a  large  part  of  her  manufactured  articles  from  the  same 
source.  The  Pan-American  Financial  Congress,  held  in  191 5  in 
Washington,  provided  for  North  America's  doing  largely  what 
Europe  had  been  doing  before.  The  establishment  of  North 
American  banks  and  agencies  for  our  large  manufacturing  con- 
cerns in  the  principal  cities  of  South  America  has  had  more  in- 
fluence in  promoting  friendly  relations  than  would  be  supposed 
by  superficial  observation.  It  has  also  led  to  some  interesting 
social  changes.  For  instance,  in  Chile,  where  workmen  in  the 
past  have  been  very  badly  treated,  sonTe  of  the  North  American 
firms  have  set  up  new  industrial  standards.  They  have  increased 
wages  and  put  in  modern  welfare  work,  with  workmen's  cot- 
tages, clubs,  and  the  prohibition  of  liquor.  This  welfare  work 
has  had  such  splendid  results  that  other  firms  have  found  it 
worth  w^hile  to  send  men  to  the  United  States  to  study  such  work 
in  order  to  retain  their  workmen. 

The  recent  disposition  of  the  United  States  to  change  its 
attitude  toward  the  Latin- American  peoples  from  jingoism  to  a 
real  sympathy  and  appreciation,  is  another  influence  that  is  pro- 
moting international  friendship.  The  wise  utterances  of  Presi- 
dent Wilson  in  his  Mobile  speech,  and  on  other  occasions,  have 
gone  far  to  assure  the  Latin  Americans  that  we  have  no  designs 
upon  their  territory.  Our  staying  out  of  Mexico  when  all  recog- 
nized that,  according  to  international  custom,  we  had  a  right  to 

11 


intervene,  has  had  a  remarkable  influence  on  clearing  us  from  the 
suspicions  long  held  by  the  Latin  Americans. 

The  exchange  of  visits  between  university  professors  of  North 
and  South  America  during  these  recen,t  years,  and  the  large  num- 
ber of  Latin-American  students  who  have  studied  in  North 
American  institutions,  have  made  most  important  contributions  to 
this  development  of  friendship. 

There  are  now  about  twenty-five  hundred  Latin-American  stu- 
dents in  the  universities  of  the  United  States,  and  this  number  is 
rapidly  increasing.  Wherever  one  comes  in  contact  with  student 
life,  he  is  earnestly  questioned  about  the  cost  and  conditions  re- 
lating to  attendance  at  North  American  universities.  In  Chile 
there  is  a  flourishing  student  association  that  promotes  relation- 
ships between  students  going  to  foreign  schools  and  those  at  home. 
The  good  reports  that  young  people  are  sending  back  home  about 
their  pleasing  experiences  in  our  schools  and  social  circles,  is  fil- 
tering through  all  Latin  America. 

It  is  impossible  to  estimate  the  influence  for  closer  friendship 
of  such  professors  as  Dr.  Jose  M.  Galvez,  who  has  sent  ten  Chil- 
ean students  to  the  United  States  in  the  last  three  years  ;  and 
Professor  Ernesto  Nelson  of  Argentina,  who  has  a  most  com- 
mendable plan  for  enlarging  our  educational  relationships.  One 
would  like  to  go  into  detail  in  this  matter,  telling  of  the  contri- 
butions being  ma'de  by  distinguished  educationalists  like  Ernesto 
Quesada  and  Jose  Ingenieros  of  Argentina,  Olivera  Lima  and 
Hilio  Lobo  of  Brazil,  Abel  J.  Perez  of  Uruguay,  Dr.  Villeran  of 
Peru,  Andres  Osuna  of  Mexico,  and  others  whose  far-reaching 
service  I  have  come  to  know  and  understand.  The  visits  of  some 
of  our  own  university  professors  to  Latin  America,  such  as  Wil- 
liam R.  Shepherd,  Leo  S.  Rowe,  and  Edward  A.  Ross,  have  also 
done  great  good.  Such  visits  are  forerunners  of  exchange  pro- 
fessorships, which  are  all  too  slow  in  being  inaugurated.  The 
only  one  I  found  in  South  America  was  between  the  University 
of  Washington  and  the  University  of  Chile,  a  plan  which  is  hav- 
ing most  encouraging  results. 

The  constant  friendly  influence  of  the  missionaries  through  the 
years  must  be  set  down  here,  although  I  am  only  mentioning  the 
things  that  seem  to  me  to  have  especially  contributed  to  this 
friendship  since  the  time  of  my  first  visit.  No  man  that  has  an 
open  mind  can  fail  to  realize  that  the  work  of  such  men  as 
H.  C.  Tucker,  W.  A.  Waddell,  John  W.  Butler,  W.  E.  Browning, 
and  many  others  like  them,   has   an  influence   for  international 

12 


good-will  impossible  to  calculate.  A  book  might  easily  be  writ- 
ten on  what  the  evangelical  schools  are  doing  in  interpreting 
Latin  and  North  America  to  each  other.  The  Young  Alen's 
Christian  Association  is  particularly  adapted  to  this  work  of  in- 
ternational friendship,  inasmuch  as  it  reaches  many  of  the  in- 
fluential classes  who  are  not  yet  willing  to  have  relationship  with 
a  work  directly  missionary. 

2.     The  Paucity  of  Religious  Work  Is  Everywhere  Evident. 

There  Is  a  General  Lack  of  Interest  in  Religion. — Every  ob- 
serving traveler  visiting  Latin  America  notices  that  the  educated 
classes  of  Latin  America,  having  abandoned  the  only  form  of 
Christianity  that  they  have  ever  known,  are  fast  becoming  a 
people  without  religion.  I  refrain  from  giving  further  evidence 
on  this  point,  since  it  is  universally  admitted.  My  recent  investi- 
gations, however,  have  been  startling  in  their  revelation  of  the 
way  the  working  classes  are  abandoning  the  Church  and  drifting 
into  extreme  socialism  and  an  antagonism  to  all  forms  of  religion. 

In  Mexico  the  revolution  has  brought  about  a  widespread  prop- 
aganda in  favor  of  anti-Christian  socialism,  the  result  of  which  is 
seen  in  the  new  constitution,  which  contains  the  most  drastic  re- 
strictions on  religious  activities,  ever  written  into  a  state  docu- 
ment. In  Cuba  a  recent  book,  which  attacks  Christianity,  known 
as  "La  Religion  al  Alcance  de  Todos"  ("Religion  in  the  Reach 
of  AH"),  has  reached  a  circulation  of  50,000  copies.  It  is  said 
that  agnosticism  is  found  even  among  field  laborers.  In  Chile 
there  are  continued  labor  disturbances,  and  a  growing  opposition 
of  the  working  classes  to  the  ruling  classes  and  to  the  Church 
which  many  believe  must  end  in  a  bloody  revolution.  In  Argen- 
tina anarchists  are  very  active  among  the  workmen.  The  Cath- 
olic Church  is  so  concerned  about  this  movement  that  their  priests 
are  addressing  meetings  of  workmen  on  street  corners.  In  Bra- 
zil there  have  been  strikes  and  food  riots  in  almost  all  parts  of 
the  country  this  last  year.  In  a  recent  strike  at  Sao  Paulo,  1,000 
rioters  were  killed.  Eight  anarchists  charged  with  responsibility 
for  these  strikes  were  deported  from  Brazil  on  the  ship  on  which 
I  came  home.  They  seemed  to  be  perfectly  innocent  of  the  charge, 
yet  when  I  talked  to  them  of  religion,  they  flouted  the  whole 
idea. 

We  can  no  longer  say  that  the  indifference  to  religion  in  Latin 
America  is  confined  to  the  educated  classes.  The  laboring  men 
are  awakening  to  their  rights,  and   since  they  believe  that  the 

13 


Roman  Catholic  Church  has  been  in  league  with  the  land  barons 
to  hold  them  in  subjection,  they  are  developing  an  intense  hatred 
for  Christianity  as  they  understand  it.  Recently  there  appeared 
on  the  streets  of  Asuncion  posters  reading  "Ahajo  con  Religion" 
("Down  with  Religion").  A  young  student  in  the  University 
of  Cordova,  Argentina,  a  city  noted  for  its  faithfulness  in  the 
past,  and  said  to  contain  more  pictures  of  the  Pope  than  any 
other  city  of  its  size  in  the  world,  told  me  that  he  was  the  only 
young  man  in  the  university  who  acknowledged  Christ  as  his 
Saviour. 

The  Association  of  Liberal  Propaganda,  of  Montevideo,  pub- 
lishes a  pamphlet  containing  the  following: 

DUTIES  OF  A  GOOD  LIBERAL. 

Not  to  be  married  by  religious  ceremony. 

Not  to  baptize  his  children. 

Not  to  act  as  godfather  at  weddings,  baptisms  or  confirmations. 

Not  to  entrust    to    the    Church    or    her    adepts    the    education    of    his 

children. 
To  be  buried  by  civil  rites  only. 
Not  to  have   mass   or   prayers    for   the   dead,   and   not   to   attend   such 

services. 
Not  to  give  money  to  church  people  under  any   form  or  pretext,   not 

even  when  the  apparent  purpose  is  benevolence  or  charity. 
Not  to  identify  himself  with,  nor  lend  his   influence  to,,  any   religious 

ceremony,  directly  or  indirectly. 
To   keep    far    from    the   home    and   the    family    those    who    are    called 

"Minister  of  the  Lord." 

Roman  Catholicism  Is  Not  Meeting  the  Need. — Even  if  the 
Catholic  Church  were  preaching  a  pure  and  undefiled  religion,  its 
forces  are  not  in  any  way  sufficient  to  minister  to  the  religious 
needs  of  Latin  America.  In  the  Republic  of  Paraguay,  with  a 
population  of  one  million  people,  there  are  eighty-eight  parish 
priests,  forty  of  whom  are  in  Asuncion,  leaving  an  average  of 
one  priest  for  over  twenty  thousand  people  outside  of  the  capital. 
In  Buenos  Aires,  with  one  million  seven  hundred  thousand  peo- 
ple, there  are  about  fifty  Roman  Catholic  churches.  In  Chile, 
where  the  Church  is  better  organized  than  in  the  other  countries, 
the  Archbishop  reports  700  parish  priests,  with  probably  450  of 
these  working  among  the  people.  This  would  give  each  one  a 
parish  of  nearly  10,000  people.  There  are  500  churches  and  619 
chapels,  services  being  held  very  seldom  in  the  latter.  If  there 
are  yoo  places  where  regular  services  are  held,  that  would  mean 
one  for  every  5,000  people. 

These   forces  are  now  increasing  by  additions   from   Europe, 

14 


and  since  the  Panama  Congress  the  Roman  Church  has  greatly 
enlarged  its  activity.  But  their  forces  are  not  adequate  even  in 
the  countries  mentioned,  to  say  nothing  of  Ecuador,  Colombia, 
Bolivia,  etc.,  where  the  Church  is  not  so  well  organized. 

Sr.  F.  Garcia  Calderon,  who  is  known  to  many  Anglo-Saxon 
readers  through  his  book,  "Latin  America:  Its  Rise  and  Pro- 
gress," in  a  later  and  more  balanced  study  of  Latin-American 
life,  says,  in  a  chapter  on  religion : 

"We  do  not  hnd  in  Latin  America  either  an  elegant  skepticism,  a  puri- 
tan religion,  or  even  a  mysticism  like  the  Spanish.  And  her  Catholicism 
is  a  limited  and  official  religion.  We  are  witnessing  the  decadence  of 
traditional  religion.  The  Church  is  being  converted  into  a  bureaucratic 
institution.  Its  convents  attract  only  those  of  inferior  classes.  The  ro- 
bustness of  creative  convictions,  which  is  the  strength  of  the  Biblical  men 
of  North  America,  the  deep  interest  in  human  destiny,  the  stern  sense  of 
duty,  the  realization  of  the  seriousness  of  life,  do  not  disturb  Latin  Amer- 
ican Catholicism,  sensual  and  linfatic.   ... 

".A  more  active  faith,  more  tolerant  than  luiropean  Catholicism  in 
which  dogma  is  substituted  for  action,  developed  in  the  midst  of  an  ener- 
getic race  and  notwithstanding  the  opposition  of  Rome,  to-day  repudiates 
the  faith  of  .\merica,  these  Byzantine  theological  discussions,  and  seeks  to 
fraternize  with  all  Christian  sects  which  struggle  against  the  invading  rna- 
terialism.  Henri  Bargy  calls  this  fusion  of  moral  activities  'Christian 
positivism'  and  finds  in  it  a  school  of  practical  energy,  a  sincere  desire  to 
fight  for  the  right,  forgetting  subtle  investigations  concerning  dogma. 
Such  a  limited  religious  Americanism  also  fits  the  Latin  South. 

"This  liberty  of  belief  doesn't  oppose  the  existence  of  a  national  re- 
ligion. Diverse  doctrines  will  struggle  with  one  another  in  the  American 
republics  enriched  by  immigration.  Religious  disputes  which  incite  ideas 
and  affirm  convictions  are  preferable  to  plebeian  quiet  of  indifferent  souls. 
Privileged  and  inviolable,  the  American  Church  grows  weak.  It  develops 
Jacobean  hatreds,  disputes  with  civic  powers,  and  a  stereotyped  clergy. 
The  free  discussion  of  religion,  with  the  most  perfect  tolerance,  will  re.- 
move  Catholicism  from  the  parasitical  rites  to  convert  it  into  an  active 
and  conquering  religion. 

"In  the  political  and  economic  order,  our  religious  indifference  is  the 
cause  of  indecision  in  opinions,  of  hatred  of  ideas,  and  of  immorality. 
.  .  .  These  different  republics  lack  a  creed.  Their  ancient  life  was  linked 
to  a  severe  religion.  The  abandonment  of  Catholicism  in  democracies 
without  moral  culture  means  retrogression  to  barbarism.  ...  In  the 
United  States,  puritanism  is  the  perpetual  defense  against  the  plutocratic 
immorality.  In  the  Latin  South,  only  a  renovated  and  profound  faith  can 
give  to  accumulated  riches  a  national  sentiment.  An  American  servant 
of  Caliban,  without  clear  ideals,  coldly  atheistic  because  of  mental  lazi- 
ness or  indifference,  would  be  an  immense  mediocre  continent,  that  could 
submerge,  as  did  Atlantis,  without  leaving  in  human  annals  the  memory 
of  a  secret  unrest,  a  hymn  to  the  gods,  or  even  a  passionate  skepticism 
and  tragic  doubt."  ^ 


^La  Creadon  de  un   Continente,  F.  Garcia  Calderon.     Libreria   de   P. 
Ollendorf,  Paris. 

15 


Evangelical  Missionary  Work  Is  Astonishingly  Limited. — If 
one  visits  only  the  capital  and  port  cities  of  Latin  America,  he 
will  be  impressed  with  the  smallness  of  the  evang-elical  work,  but 
when  he  visits  the  smaller  cities  and  towns  he  will  be  appalled 
at  the  lack  of  strength.  In  Mexico  there  are  states  with  as  many 
as  a  million  population  where  no  foreign  missionary  works. 
There  are  only  200  ordained  ministers,  both  foreign  and  native,  to 
preach  the  gospel  to  fifteen  million  people — a  parish  for  each  of 
75,000  souls.  Yet  a  representative  of  the  Guggenheim  interests 
told  me  before  the  revolution  that  practically  a  million  Mexicans, 
one  out  of  15  of  the  population,  were  dependent  on  that  and 
allied  corporations.  To  help  Mexico  teach  the  eighty  per  cent, 
illiterate  in  her  population,  there  are  altogether  177  mission 
schools.  American  capital  has  invested  a  billion  dollars  in  Mex- 
ico. ,We  have  invested  for  missionary  purposes  little  more  than 
a  thousandth  part  of  that  amount.  Panama  is  the  center  of  one 
of  the  most  backward  parts  of  the  globe.  In  two  of  the  five  re- 
publics of  Central  America  there  is  no  organized  Mission  Board 
doing  any  work  whatsoever.  Our  missions  support  two  schools 
and  one  hospital  in  all  of  Central  America.  In  little  Panama, 
which  owes  its  very  existence  to  the  United  States,  there  is  only 
one  missionary  preaching  the  simple  gospel  of  Jesus  to  three 
hundred  and  fifty  thousand  Spanish-speaking  Panamanians. 
There  are  four  ordained  missionaries  in  the  Republic  of  Vene- 
zuela, trying  to  serve  a  population  of  nearly  three  million.  To 
educate  the  eighty-five  per  cent  of  her  population  who  cannot 
read  and  write,  there  are  two  little  primary  schools  with  an  en- 
rollment of  88.  In  the  whole  history  of  this  Republic  only  one 
building  has  ever  been  erected  for  school  purposes  either  by 
Church  or  State,  and  that  was  a  military  academy.  In  Colom- 
bia, which  is  larger  than  Germany,  France,  Spain  and  Italy,  there 
are  only  two  ordained  Protestant  ministers  to  every  million  of 
the  population.  In  Ecuador  there  is  practically  no  established 
mission  work,  and  no  Protestant  church  building  has  ever  been 
erected  in  that  country. 

In  the  northern  half  of  Peru,  a  stretch  of  territory  larger  than 
our  thirteen  original  states,  there  is  not  one  evangelical  mission- 
ary. There  are  ten  provinces  in  this  historic  Republic,  all  larger 
than  Holland;  where  there  is  no  evangelical  work.  In  Bolivia  the 
Evangelical  Church  has  only  100  members.  Great  areas  in  Chile 
and  Argentina  are  still  untouched  by  evangelical  missionaries, 
and  only  the  fringes  along  the  ocean  and  river  fronts  of  I'^ruguay 

16 


and  Brazil  are  occupied.  There  is  not  one  American  missionary 
Society  at  work  in  the  RepubHc  of  Paraguay.  The  greatest 
stretch  of  unevangelized  territory  in  the  world  is  in  the  center 
of  South  America,  including  the  interior  of  Brazil,  Venezuela. 
Colombia,  Ecuador,  Peru,  Bolivia  and  Paraguay.  An  irregular 
figure  two  thousand  miles  long  and  from  500  to  1,500  miles  in 
width  would  only  include  two  missionaries.  In  Northern  Brazil 
there  are  seven  states,  with  populations  ranging  from  that  of 
Maine  to  that  of  New  Jersey,  with  no  foreign  missionary. 

As  to  evangelical  educational  work,  one  is  simply  appalled  at 
the  lack  of  equipment  and  provision  for  faculties.  It  is  a  won- 
derful tribute  to  the  power  of  Christian  education  and  to  the 
sacrifice  of  the  teachers,  that  our  schools  have  been  able  to  do 
what  they  have  with  such  meagre  equipment.  Some  of  the 
school  quarters  are  likely  to  be  closed  by  the  public  authorities  as 
unsafe  or  unsanitary.  Some  of  the  teachers  have  never  thought 
of  teaching  before,  and  are  acquainted  only  with  antiquated  meth- 
ods. But  what  wrings  one's  heart  is  to  find  teachers  living  on 
such  scanty  allowances  that  not  only  their  clothes  are  shabby, 
but  they  themselves  are  constantly  below  par,  physically  and 
mentally. 

At  Panama  and  at  other  missionary  conferences  recently,  we 
have  been  talking  about  universities  and  great  colleges  for  Latin 
America.  When  one  sees  what  we  have  now  and  compares  it 
with  what  is  ordinarily  considered  indispensable  in  the  homeland 
to  educational  enterprises,  it  seems  ridiculous  to  talk  of  develop- 
ing these  great  institutions,  unless  our  people  are  willing  to  un- 
dertake our  educational  program  on  an  entirely  new  basis. 

The  Work  Among  hidiam. — There  are  3,500,000  Indians  on 
the  plateaus  of  Ecuador,  Peru  and  Bolivia,  including  the  former 
Inca  Empire.  Practically  nothing  is  being  done  for  them.  Going 
down  into  the  valley  of  the  Amazon  and  through  the  lowlands 
of  Bolivia  and  Paraguay,  there  are  many  other  millions  of  In- 
dians— no  one  knows  how  many — who  still  live  in  their  savage 
state,  with  no  efforts  made  for  them  except  those  of  the  splendid 
little  band  of  missionaries  of  the  South  American  Missionary  So- 
ciety. I  confess  that  on  my  first  trip  to  South  America,  which 
did  not  include  visits  to  much  of  the  interior,  I  was  not  greatly 
impressed  with  this  need,  which  now  appears  to  me  as  the  most 
imperative  of  all  of  our  missionary  problems  in  that  continent. 
No  American  society  is  doing  anything  for  the  Indians.  The 
people  of   South   America   would  gladly  welcome   our  help ;   in 

17 


fact,  they  wonder  why  we  do  not  undertake  this  service.  It  is 
a  blot  on  the  missionary  zeal  of  the  North  American  Church  that 
we  are  undertaking  nothing  for  these  poor,  needy  creatures. 

3.  In  Evangelical  Work  There  Must  Be  More  Emphasis 
UPON  the  Principle  of  Service. 

This  opinion  was  strongly  expressed  in  practically  every  con- 
ference I  had  with  the  workers.  While  recognizing,  as  all  must, 
that  there  is  a  continual  necessity  for  publicly  presenting  in  a 
strong  and  definite  way,  the  great  fundamental  doctrines  of  the 
Christian  religion,  yet  there  is  a  growing  feeling  that  this  can 
never  be  done  satisfactorily  unless  accompanied  by  a  volume  of 
good  works  that  will  reinforce  the  message.  In  the  past  an  ex- 
clusively preaching  program  has  sometimes  been  considered  by 
missionaries  as  the  one  that  would  bring  the  quickest  results.  A 
community  service  program,  while  it  has  appealed  to  many,  has 
been  objected  to  because  it  did  not  bring  the  immediate  results 
demanded  by  the  home  constituency. 

In  this  connection  three  things  are  worth  noting:  In  the  first 
place,  the  preaching  program  alone  does  not  always  give  quick 
results  ;  secondly,  it  is  often  the  missionary  rather  than  the  Board 
which  demands  quick  results ;  thirdly,  a  Christian  contingent  is 
built  up  both  by  the  conversion  of  individuals,  and  by  a  gradual 
raising  of  the  moral  tone  of  the  surrounding  community.  The 
great  changes  that  have  taken  place  at  the  home  base  in  reference 
to  an  adequate  program  of  Christian  service  during  the  last  few 
years  should  be  reflected  by  the  missions  on  the  field. 

Missionaries  generally  are  becoming  convinced  of  the  need  of 
an  enlargement  of  method.  One  of  the  questions  that  I  discussed 
with  groups  of  Christians  everywhere  was  the  strategic  religious 
approach  to  Latin  Americans.  The  concensus  of  opinion  of  all 
the  groups  was  that  Latin  Americans  would  like  to  have  a  larger 
emphasis  placed  where  Christ  seemed  to  place  it — on  loving  ser- 
vice, vivified  through  direct  contact  with  God.  All  realized  that 
the  hurt  of  these  peoples  is  too  deep  to  be  healed  by  any  mere 
soap  and  water,  or  a  bread-line  or  by  lectures  on  hygiene.  The 
service  rendered  must  lead  communities  to  realize  that  our  mis- 
sionaries are  bringing  to  them  a  true  water  of  life. 

A  program  of  mere  discussion,  however  able,  invites  contro- 
versy and  repels  advances.  Recently  a  young  Chilean  of  the  bet- 
ter classes  became  interested  in  the  gospel.  He  wanted  to  join 
the  Church  and  become  a  minister,  but  controversial  denomina- 

18 


tionalism  kept  him  from  a  decision.  "I  will  do  anything  for 
Christ,  but  nothing  for  controversy,"  is  the  way  he  expressed  it 
to  a  friend.  Educated  Latin  Americans  friendly  to  the  evangeli- 
cal movement  have  pointed  out  the  necessity  of  a  practical  pro- 
gram. As  a  gentleman  in  Asuncion  said,  "If  you  come  here  to 
found  a  new  sect,  we  have  no  interest  in  you ;  but  if  you  come 
to  help  us  solve  our  educational  and  moral  problems,  we  will  bid 
you  a  hearty  welcome."  A  conserv^ative  missionary  in  one  of  our 
conferences  said  that  we  might  as  well  expect  to  convert  these 
people  to  Mohammedanism  as  to  the  program  which  we  Protes- 
tants are  now  proposing  to  them.  When  one  considers  the  very 
small  impress  we  have  so  far  made  on  the  great  mass  of  Latin 
Americans,  he  wonders  how  far  such  a  statement  is  exagger- 
ated. Whether  we  like  it  or  not,  it  is  very  evident  that  without 
more  than  a  preaching  program,  we  may  be  in  cities  like  Buenos 
Aires,  Havana,  Lima  and  Santiago  the  rest  of  the  age.  and  still 
the  people  will  be  ignorant  of  or  indifferent  to  our  presence. 

A  professor  in  the  Normal  School  in  Peru  said :  "The  kind  of 
religion  we  would  accept  would  be  one  that  emphasized  beauty, 
love  and  service — one  that  takes  you  away  from  fear.  I  left 
the  Catholic  Church  because  they  were  always  talking  about  the 
infierno.  Maybe  it  will  be  as  horrible  as  they  say,  but  I  propose 
to  have  at  least  a  little  respite  from  it.  We  want  something  en- 
couraging, not  an  everlasting  threat.  Teach  us  a  religion  that 
exalts  life  and  service  and  we  will  accept  it." 

Latin  America  needs  a  religion  that  will  help  solve  the  national 
problems  as  well  as  those  of  individuals.  In  discussing  with  a 
thoughtful  Chilean  the  question  of  a  probable  uprising  of  the 
common  people  of  that  country  against  the  privileged  classes,  he 
said  that  the  only  hope  he  saw  of  preventing  it,  was  that  the 
Protestant  Church  might  develop  sufficient  strength  to  bring 
about  the  reforms  necessary  by  educational  methods.  It  is  the 
only  hope  for  the  solution  of  a  large  number  of  industrial, 
economic,  moral,  social  and  political  problems  that  multiply  so 
rapidly  in  these  countries.  With  the  mistakes  of  the  Ango-Saxon 
countries  as  a  guide,  the  new  industrialism  might  be  developed 
so  as  to  prevent  the  exploitation  of  women  and  children  or  the 
clashing  of  labor  and  capital ;  and  to  encourage  the  development 
of  proper  philanthropic  organizations,  of  eleemosynary  institu- 
tions, of  recreative  facilities  for  the  young  and  of  an  educational 
system  that  will  put  morality  first !  But  Protestantism  is  far 
from  even  realizing  its  possibilities,  much  less  from  making  a 

19 


practical  contribution  to  the  working  out  of  these  problems  in 
most  of  Latin  America. 

The  revolution  in  Mexico  is  going  to  teach  our  Latin-Ameri- 
can churches  a  good  many  things.  Already  it  has  driven  the 
churches  there  together,  forcing  them  into  a  cooperative  program 
of  service  that  before  the  war  seemed  impossible  of  realization. 
The  last  national  convention  bristled  with  suggestions  for  service 
to  the  people.  The  many  new  problems  of  education,  of  social 
betterment  and  of  physical  improvement  which  Mexico  faces,  is 
making  the  churches  realize  that  they  will  not  appeal  to  the  Mexi- 
can people  unless  they  prove  themselves  capable  of  providing 
practical  help  in  this  time  of  reconstruction.  The  leaders  of  the 
different  denominations  at  the  recent  National  Convention  laid 
the  map  of  Mexico  down  before  them  and  asked  what  was  neces- 
sary to  reach  every  part  of  the  country  with  a  gospel  that  would 
save  in  the  present  world  as  well  as  in  the  future.  A  readjust- 
ment of  denominational  territory  was  considered  of  no  more  im- 
portance than  a  readjustment  of  the  Church's  program  in  order 
that  it  may  serve  the  whole  people.  It  is  doubtful  whether  the 
present  large  cooperative  program  would  have  been  reached  in 
years  if  the  revolution  had  not  broken  up  much  of  the  old  pro- 
gram, exposed  the  folly  of  denominational  narrowness,  and  made 
unprecedented  opportunities  for  a  united  evangelical  church  in 
Mexico,  the  only  kind  capable  of  fully  entering  these  open  doors. 

The  need  of  getting  together,  exposed  in  Mexico  by  revolution, 
has  been  made  clear  by  slower  forms  of  evolution  elsewhere  in 
Latin  America.  What  the  appeal  to  avoid  denominational  over- 
lapping has  failed  to  do,  the  facing  of  great  need,  clearly  demon- 
strated by  indisputable  facts,  is  beginning  to  accomplish.  The 
extension  of  our  work  into  great,  needy  fields  has  been  the  appeal 
that  has  brought  our  Christian  forces  in  recent  months  to  a 
friendly  division  of  territory  in  Mexico,  Cuba,  Panama,  Peru, 
Bolivia,  Argentina  and  Paraguay.  For  it  was  only  by  this  wiser 
distribution  of  forces  that  unoccupied  fields  could  be  entered. 

A  similar  motive  has  controlled  the  adjustments  in  the  matter 
of  literature.  As  soon  as  the  need  of  souls  that  are  perishing 
comes  to  be  studied,  a  united  program  for  literature  is  made  easy. 
Such  a  program  will  provide  for  union  book  depositories  in  Mex- 
ico City,  Havana,  Santiago,  Buenos  Aires  and  Rio  de  Janeiro, 
with  union  papers  in  Mexico  City  and  Lima. 

So  it  is  that  whenever  the  service  side  of  Christianity  is 
strongly  felt,  cooperation  is  made  easier.     When  the  evangelical 

20 


churches  in  Latin  America  begin  to  feel  the  demand  for  a  service 
program,  as  the  European  and  North  xA.merican  churches  have 
felt  it  since  the  "beginning  of  the  war,  more  than  ever  their  leaders 
will  welcome  it.  Specially  trained  missionaries  and  proper  equip- 
ment are  necessary  for  its  inauguration.  If  every  Board  could 
send  at  least  one  well-balanced  missionary,  specially  trained  in 
social  service,  to  each  of  its  Latin-American  fields,  and  if  an 
adequate  literature  on  the  subject  could  be  made  available  for  the 
national  churches,  remarkable  results  would  soon  be  seen. 

4.     The  Training  of   Native  Leadership   Is  the   Greatest 
Need. 

There  is  no  doubt  that  practically  all  of  our  missionary  prob- 
lems revolve  around  this  one  of  the  proper  training  of  lea:ders. 
Missionary  leaders  who  studied  the  Latin-American  field  for  the 
first  time  at  Panama,  almost  immediately  pointed  out  this  as  the 
supreme  need.  Every  Regional  Conference  emphasized  it.  Yet 
not  until  I  had  made  this  visit  did  it  seem  to  me  of  such  absolute 
importance,  the  one  clamormg  need.  The  strength  of  the  Church 
in  Brazil  is  a  constant  illustration  of  the  results  of  the  good  train- 
ing of  ministers.  The  Presbyterians  entered  Colombia  four  years 
before  they  entered  Brazil,  but  the  difference  in  result  is  tre- 
mendous. Many  things  account  for  this  difference.  But  who 
can  doubt  that  if  the  same  emphasis  had  been  put  on  a  trained 
native  ministry  in  Colombia  (where  to-day  they  have  not  one 
ordained  native),  as  was  the  case  in  Brazil,  that  the  former  coun- 
try would  be  far  better  off  to-day?  Peru  and  Bolivia  are  diffi- 
cult fields.  But  if  the  Methodist  and  Evangelical  Union  mission- 
aries had  carefully  trained  a  number  of  native  preachers,  would 
they  not  be  able  to  count  to-day  more  than  500  members  in  these 
two  countries  ?  They  have  been  working  in  Peru  for  a  quarter  of 
a  century  and  have  altogether  only  five  ordained  Peruvian  min- 
isters, none  of  whom  has  ever  received  any  training  except  that 
gotten  by  accompanying  a  busy  missionary  for  a  year  or  two. 
A  worker  in  Chile  told  me  that  in  seventy  years  the  Church  there 
had  not  developed  a  single  leader  whose  influence  was  felt  outside 
the  ranks  of  the  humbler  classes. 

This  is  not  the  fault  of  the  ministers  themselves,  but  of  the 
missions  that  fail  to  provide  the  proper  training.  I  asked  the 
assistant  pastor  of  a  large  church  in  Chile,  of  which  a  missionary 
was  the  pastor,  if  he  were  a  graduate  of  the  seminary.  No,  he 
had  had  two  or  three  years  at  the  side  of  one  of  the  missionaries, 

21 


being-  instructed  in  the  Bible  and  watching  the  missionary  work, 
and  had  then  gone  into  the  ministry.  When  I  pressed  upon  him 
the  need  of  going  to  the  seminary  and  urged  that  he  could  never 
expect  to  do  a  large  service  unless  he  was  thoroughly  prepared, 
and  that  it  would  be  worth  while  for  him  to  delav  his  ministry 
several  years  more  to  acquire  this  preparation,  he  replied :  "What 
can  I  do?  The  work  is  here  to  be  done,  and  the  missionaries 
insist  that  they  cannot  do  without  me.  There  are  not  nearly 
enough  men  to  go  around  now,  so  I  must  stay  by  the  work." 

This  has  been  the  story  all  through  our  mission  work  in  Latin 
America.  Young  men  with  a  few  years  at  the  side  of  a  mission- 
ary, without  any  training  in  thinking  through  problems,  without 
any  ability  to  develop  an  independent  policy  for  their  churches, 
lacking  even  the  power  to  digest  a  book,  have  been  thrust  into 
service.  That  they  often  make  mistakes  that  drive  them  from 
the  ministry,  that  they  never  get  away  from  the  apron-strings 
of  the  Mission,  and  that  they  cannot  reach  people  who  do  inde- 
pendent thinking,  is  little  of  their  fault. 

What  few  seminaries  or  training  schools  have  existed  in  our 
missions  have  been  conducted  by  men  who  are  overburdened  with 
other  work.  The  director  of  the  Methodist  Seminary  in  Argen- 
tina is,  in  addition  to  his  work  as  superintendent  of  an  important 
district,  treasurer  of  the  largest  mission  in  South  America,  and 
chairman  of  the  Church  Building  Association !  There  is  not  a 
seminary  in  all  South  America  to  which  even  one  professor  is 
giving  all  his  time.  The  students  likewise  are  generally  -loaded 
down  with  outside  work,  so  that  their  studies  are  only  secondary. 

A  Proposed  Program  of  Cooperation. — It  is  necessary  that  for 
this  inefficient  system  a  vital  program  of  real  training  should  be 
established.  Should  it  cost  the  shifting  of  every  missionary  from 
all  the  churches  and  schools  now  opened,  with  a  complete  reor- 
ganization of  the  entire  work,  we  ought  to  pay  the  price.  In 
some  missions  it  would  have  this  result  if  they  had  to  bear  the 
whole  burden.  But  by  the  cooperation  of  all  missions  concerned, 
it  can  be  efifected  without  putting  on  any  one  church  a  burden 
greater  than  it  is  able  to  bear. 

The  program  for  South  America,  as  suggested  by  the  deputa- 
tion holding  the  Regional  Conferences,  consisted  of  union  semi- 
naries in  Lima,  Santiago,  Rio  de  Janeiro  and  Montevideo.  The 
latter  was  proposed  as  a  graduate  seminary,  a  "Faculty  of  The- 
ology and  Social  Sciences,"  where  the  best  graduates  of  the  other 


schools  and  ministers  already  in  the  work  could  get  advanced 
courses  that  would  thoroughly  fit  them  to  be  the  Church's  leaders. 

The  Union  Seminary  in  Chile  has  been  organized  for  several 
years  and  only  needs  strengthening.  The  one  in  Lima  should  re- 
ceive immediate  attention.  The  one  in  Brazil  is  well  along  the 
road  to  organization.  As  the  only  one  in  Portuguese  and  des- 
tined for  the  use  of  all  Brazil,  where  the  Evangelical  Church  is 
larger  than  in  any  other  field,  it  should  have  a  specially  strong 
faculty.  The  general  opinion  of  the  workers  is  that  the  Graduate 
Seminary  should  be  begun  immediately,  and  that  no  single  enter- 
prise in  all  South  America  will  more  advance  the  interests  of  all 
than  this  one.  A  committee  has  been  working  on  the  project, 
and  several  Boards  have  expressed  their  interest :  The  Methodist 
Episcopal,  the  Presbyterian  U.  S.  A.,  the  Young  Men's  Christian 
Association,  the  Disciples  of  Christ,  the  Congregationalists  and 
the  Southern  Methodists.  The  missionaries  in  Spanish-speaking 
South  America  are  unanimous  in  their  advocacy  of  the  plan. 

Some  opposition  has  developed  in  Brazil,  principally  for  two 
reasons :  some  have  thought  that  its  success  meant  the  providing 
of  a  second-rate  training  school  in  Brazil ;  others  object,  also, 
that  the  similarity  of  Portuguese  to  Spanish  is  not  close  enough 
to  permit  the  free  attendance  of  Brazilian  students.  Even  if 
Brazil  refused  to  unite  upon  the  scheme,  the  school  should  be 
established.  When  established  with  a  strong  faculty,  especially 
if  Brazil  was  represented  on  that  faculty,  the  graduate  seminary 
will  attract  Brazilian  students.  Both  the  General  Assembly  of 
the  Brazilian  Presbyterian  Church  and  the  Conference  of  the 
Methodist  Church  in  Southern  Brazil  have  endorsed  the  sem- 
inary. 

It  is  impossible  to  estimate  the  influence  that  a  center  of  sound 
scholarship  like  this  will  have  on  the  elevation  of  the  whole  Evan- 
gelical Church  in  South  America,  as  well  as  the  respect  it  will 
command  for  our  cause  among  outsiders.  The  reasons  for  its 
location  in  Montevideo,  The  Hague  of  South  America,  are  dis- 
cussed in  the  section  of  this  report  on  Uruguay.  Located  there 
in  a  natural  center,  it  may  be  influential,  not  alone  for  the  pro- 
fessional training,  but  in  the  production  of  Christian  literature. 

If  the  entrance  qualifications  are  made  as  high  as  they  should 
be,  there  will  be  few  theological  students  at  the  outset.  But 
there  are  undoubtedly  young  men  in  state  institutions  who  will 
prepare  for  the  ministry  when  a  real  training  is  made  available. 
Many  men  now  in  the  Government  and  other  leading  positions 

23 


could  have  been  won  for  the  ministry  if  there  had  been  a  theo- 
logical seminary  which  challenged  their  abilities  and  offered  them 
a  life  program.  Ministers  also  who  long  for  added  preparation, 
and  who,  but  for  language  and  financial  difficulties,  would  study 
in  the  United  States,  will  take  advantage  of  the  opportunities  of 
this  seminary.  Even  if  the  student  body  is  very  small  at  first, 
the  faculty  can  well  occupy  its  time  in  the  development  of  Chris- 
tian Literature  and  delivering  apologetic  lectures  to  the  public. 

Many  difficulties  arise  in  the  establishing  of  such  an  institution. 
There  is  always  a  temptation,  in  view  of  such  genuine  hindrances, 
to  delay.  But  the  best  judgment  Dr.  Browning  and  I  have  been 
able  to  gather  strongly  recommends  a  beginning  of  the  enterprise 
next  year.  There  is  a  suitable  property  in  Montevideo  that  can 
probably  be  rented  very  reasonably.  A  small  faculty  can  make 
a  start.  Permanent  buildings  and  rigid  plans  should  await  de- 
velopments. 

The  Union  Seminary  of  Mexico  was  opened  in  Mexico  City  in 
May,  with  three  professors  giving  their  whole  time  and  the  fol- 
lowing churches  cooperating:  Presbyterian  U.  S.  A.,  Methodist 
Episcopal,  Congregational,  Methodist  Episcopal  South,  Presby- 
terian U.  S.,  Disciples  and  Friends.  A  beginning  in  cooperation 
in  the  theological  education  has  been  made  in  Porto  Rico,  and 
the  consummation  of  the  plan  only  awaits  the  display  of  a  little 
persistence.  In  Cuba,  where  the  need  is  outstanding  and  the 
difficulties  not  so  great,  definite  plans  have  not  been  worked  out, 
but  doubtless  soon  will  be.  A  theological  department  can  readily 
be  provided  in  connection  with  the  proposed  international  and  in- 
terdenominational college  at  Panama  for  Central  America,  Co- 
lombia and  Venezuela. 

The  prompt  carrying  out  of  these  practical  plans  present  no 
great  difficulties.  With  holy  boldness  and  zeal  every  project  of 
them  could  well  be  established  in  three  years,  and  thus  be 
achieved  the  one  thing  that  would  make  the  development  of  the 
native  Church  absolutely  sure. 

The  People  Must  Be  Reached  Through  Their  Oiini  Nationals. 
— Another  phase  of  the  problem  of  leadership  is  pointed  out  in 
the  following,  from  Rev.  E.  M.  Eoster  of  Arequipa : 

"As  I  look  around  me  I  find  that  about  sixty  per  cent,  of  my  ordinary 
male  congregation  are  journeymen  shoemakers.  The  remainder  are  em- 
ployed in  unskilled  labor  of  various  kinds.  The  better  class  people  are 
practically  untouched.  I  do  not  for  a  moment  wish  to  indicate  that  these 
dear  souls  are  valueless,  for  they  are  not.  They  have  their  work  to  do  in 
preparing  the   soil   for  the   reconstruction  of  society,  but  they  cannot   do 

24 


more.  Ignorant  and  still  largely  superstitious,  they  are  not  the  stuff  from 
which  leaders  are  made,  and  the  need  of  capable  leaders  is  one  of  the 
greatest  drawbacks  to  the  work  in  Peru  to-day.  If  this  country  is  to  be 
adequately  evangelized,  it  must  be  by  a  native  church  directed  by  native 
leaders,  and  for  the  creation  of  these  leaders  we  must  have  schools. 
Those  will  lead  best  who  have  been  longest  under  our  influence  and 
training." 

Visitors  to  Latin  American  who  have  seen  many  Government 
officials  and  others  of  the  intellectual  classes  in  the  evangelical 
churches  of  Japan,  China,  India  and  other  fields,  often  speak  of 
the  lack  of  such  in  our  Latin-American  churches.  One  reason, 
no  doubt,  is  found  in  the  fact  that  in  none  of  these  lands  is  there 
such  opposition  to  our  work  as  there  is  in  Latin  America.  To 
be  an  evangelical  in  Latin  America  often  costs  a  man  his  position. 
The  constitutions  of  most  of  the  countries  provide  that  a  Presi- 
dent of  the  Republic  must  be  a  Roman  Catholic.  This  prejudice, 
however,  is  not  a  sufficient  explanation.  The  national  evangelical 
leaders  have  not  had  the  training  to  present  the  gospel  to  the 
educated  classes.  But  the  national,  rather  than  the  missionar}-,  is 
the  one  who  can  best  do  it,  once  he  has  the  training. 

We  need  to  change  our  conception  of  the  missionary  task  in 
many  of  these  fields.  Missionaries  are  doing  much  work  that 
they  had  better  be  training  nationals  to  do.  The  Chilean  workers 
were  right  in  protesting  against  sending  several  new  foreign 
missionaries  without  making  any  provision  for  the  increase  in 
Chilean  ministers.  It  would  seem  that  missionaries  who  are  sent 
hereafter  to  Latin  America,  except  to  some  of  the  newest  and 
most  backward  fields,  should  increasingly  be  specialists  sent  out 
to  do  some  particular  work  in  connection  with  the  training  of 
leaders  or  with  the  development  of  the  native  Church. 

V.  The  Necessity  of  Better  Understanding  between  the 
Forces  in  the  Field  and  the  Home  Administration. 
Everywhere  I  was  impressed  with  the  fact  that  missionaries 
knew  little  about  what  is  in  the  mind  of  their  home  Boards,  and 
had  the  feeling  that  the  Boards  gave  too  little  study  to  their  field. 
Of  the  great  interdenominational  and  union  movements  that  at 
present  so  dominate  the  missionary  administration  at  home,  there 
is  little  understanding  on  the  field.  Few  knew  anything  about 
the  work  of  the  Annual  Foreign  Missions  Conference,  the  Home 
Missions  Council,  the  Missionary  Education  Movement,  the 
Board  of  Missionary  Preparation,  the  development  of  union  in- 
stitutions and  united  churches  in  other  mission  fields.  While 
some  Boards  carefully  provide  their  missionaries  with  literature 

25 


on  interdenominational  topics,  I  found  that  many  workers  had 
not  even  received  the  reports  of  the  Panama  Congress,  and  based 
their  grotesque  ideas  of  it  on  misrepresentative  pamphlets  which 
have  been  carefully  distributed  through  all  Latin  America. 

The  Necessity  of  More  Frequent  Visitation  of  Fields. — This 
lack  of  close  relationship  between  the  home  base  and  the  field  is 
due  partly  to  the  infrequent  visits  of  home  representatives.  The 
Presbyterian  Mission  had  been  established  in  Chile  for  nearly 
fifty  years  before  a  secretary  of  the  Board  visited  it.  A  number 
of  missions  had  never  had  a  visit  from  any  one  connected  with 
their  Board.  The  great  number  of  Christian  travelers  and  sup- 
porters of  missions  who  have  helped  so  much  to  keep  the  Church 
in  the  Orient  and  the  Occident  connected,  have  been  absent  from 
Latin  America.  When  secretaries  do  go,  they  sometimes  hurry 
through,  so  that  they  get  very  erroneous  views  of  conditions. 

Even  the  churches  with  Episcopal  supervision  suffer  greatly. 
The  Southern  Methodist  Bishop  for  Brazil  has  not  been  able  to 
attend  the  last  two  annual  conferences,  and  former  visits  have 
been  all  too  brief  to  decide  momentous  questions  which  are  be- 
fore that  body.  The  resident  Bishop  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  has  such  a  tremendous  territory  that  it  is  impossible  to 
give  it  adequate  attention.  As  for  the  policy  of  changing  bishops 
every  few  years,  it  is  hardly  too  strong  to  say  that  it  has  worked 
havoc  in  the  Church's  organization. 

Let  us  not  think  that  we  save  money  by  not  sending  repre- 
sentatives of  the  Mission  Boards  more  often  to  Latin  America. 
The  traveling  expenses  home  of  any  number  of  missionaries 
could  have  been  saved  if  a  wise  secretary  had  visited  their  field 
and  helped  them  solve  the  difficulties  which  drive  the  missionary 
to  an  abandonment  of  his  work.  Many  workers  are  wearing  their 
life  out  in  uncongenial  positions  when  they  might  be  doing,  with 
marked  success,  another  work,  if  only  there  was  some  one  with 
authority  and  judgment  and  love  to  see  that  such  adjustments 
•   were  made. 

There  is  also  the  element  of  loneliness.  It  was  worth  a  trip 
to  South  America  to  grasp  the  hands  of  some  of  the  lonely  mis- 
sionaries in  Bolivia,  Southern  Chile,  and  Northern  Argentina-, 
and  in  the  Amazon  regions,  workers  whose  eagerness  for  news 
from  the  outside  world  and  for  information  concerning  devel- 
opments of  the  Church  in  its  progress  toward  unity  and  service, 
touches  one's  heart  profoundly.  Some  of  these  workers  have  so 
identified  themselves  with  their  field  that  they  are  more  saddened 

26 


than  helped  by  their  occasional  furloughs.  Returning  to  North 
America,  they  find  their  own  secretaries  carrying  great  burdens 
and  only  being  able  to  give  them  a  few  minutes  of  time  now  and 
then,  snatched  from  other  important  duties.  They  are  rushed 
around  from  one  church  to  another,  making  speeches  to  audiences 
that  are  often  unsympathetic.  The  brusqueness  of  old  friends 
is  so  diflferent  from  the  suavity  of  the  Latins  with  whom  they 
have  been  living  that  they  feel  strangely  out  of  place.  Financial 
limitations  or  an  ignorance  of  how  to  make  the  contacts  do  not 
permit  them  to  spend  their  time  amid  spiritual  and  educational 
influences  that  would  restore  their  souls.  So,  after  a  hard  ex- 
perience of  church  campaigning  and  a  visit  with  the  home  folks, 
they  return  to  their  fields,  sometimes  greatly  discouraged.  And 
so  goes  on  the  tremendous  loss  of  efficiency  that  is  caused  by  a 
lack  of  understanding  between  the  missionary  and  his  home  con- 
stituency. 

It  seems  imperative  that  there  shall  be  less  "desk  administra- 
tion" and  more  personal  visitation  by  Board  administrators  in 
Latin  America.  These  countries  are  changing  at  a  tremendous 
pace.  My  three  years'  absence  left  me  amazed.  No  field  in  the 
world  offers  quite  the  complications,  at  least  religious  and  politi- 
cal, that  Latin  America  does.  Money  will  be  saved,  time  will  be 
saved,  friction  will  be  saved,  souls  will  be  saved,  by  such  per- 
sonal visitation.  A  trip  to  Latin  America  does  not  now  involve 
any  great  dif^culties.  In  nearly  eight  months  of  travel  I  did 
not  miss  one  appointment.  Our  Christian  business  men  and 
women  should  be  encouraged  to  make  these  visits  also.  They 
could  be  of  great  assistance  to  the  work  and,  at  the  same  time, 
could  see  a  new  and  interesting  part  of  the  world. 

The  service  I  have  been  able  to  render  on  this  trip  has  seemed 
to  me  to  outrank  that  given  during  all  the  rest  of  my  service 
with  the  Committee  on  Cooperation.  Our  committee  can  only 
render  its  best  service  by  supporting  frequent  personal  contacts 
with  the  field.  At  the  earliest  possible  moment  the  Executive 
Secretary  should  visit  that  part  of  the  field  not  yet  touched : 
Central  America,  the  Antilles,  Colombia  an  I  Venezuela.  It  is 
heartening  to  know  that  our  Educational  Secretary  for  South 
America,  Dr.  Browning,  will  be  continually  visiting  among  the 
workers  of  that  continent.  Many  have  expressed  the  hope  that 
the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  may  soon  make 
an  extended  visit  to  the  field. 

The  Need  of  More  Definite  Plans. — Many  missionaries  seem  to 

27 


feel  that  their  Boards  do  not  have  a  definite,  concrete  plan  for 
developing  their  field ;  and,  vice  versa,  Boards  are  often  doubtful 
as  to  the  definite  lines  of  advance  missionaries  believe  necessary. 
In  many  cases  it  appears  that  the  program  is  simply  "to  do 
with  their  might  what  their  hands  find  to  do."  As  one.  experi- 
enced missionary  says : 

"Unhappily  in  Brazil  few  plans  exist  for  religious  work.  Each  denom- 
ination, and  it  might  be  said  each  worker,  does  what  seems  best  to  him 
without  referring  the  matter  to  any  one  else,  with  rare  exceptions.  In 
certain  places  new  missionaries  substitute  the  older  ones,  and  on  account 
of  lack  of  direction  upset  plans  and  tried  projects,  introducing  new  ideas 
and  new  objectives,  many  times  exactly  opposite  to  the  older  ones.  The 
result  of  all  this  is  easily  perceived.  In  place  of  advancing  the  work,  it  is 
retarded." 

How  can  this  matter  best  be  remedied  ?  When  one  presents  a 
project  to  the  Mission  Boards,  he  is  often  told  that  nothing  can 
be  done  till  the  matter  is  submitted  to  the  field.  On  the  other 
hand,  one  of  the  most  frequent  questions  asked  by  missionaries 
was,  "What  does  the  Board  plan  to  do?"  I  think  most  of  our 
Latin-American  missionaries  push  ofit'  on  the  Boards  too  much 
of  the  responsibility.  They  ought  to  take  it  for  granted,  where 
not  indicated  directly  to  the  contrary,  that  their  Boards  are  in 
favor  of  a  forward  program  in  their  own  missions,  and  they 
would  want  to  have  their  proper  share  in  interdenominational  en- 
terprises— that  faith  still  removes  mountains,  and  that  good  strat- 
egy is  still,  "First  ponder,  then  dare." 

On  the  other  hand,  the  Boards  should  do  their  part.  If  they 
must  keep  the  missionary  poor,  it  is  not  equally  necessary  to  keep 
him  humble.  Let  him  see  visions  and  dream  dreams.  The  work 
is  not  suffering  from  too  large  plans,  but  from  too  small  ones. 
When  a  missionary  has  most  of  his  contracts  for  twenty  years 
with  people  who  go  to  bed  hungry  every  night,  he  cannot  be  ex- 
pected to  realize;  the  growth  of  the  Church  in  other  places,  and 
the  possibility  of  commanding  great  resources  by  projecting  a 
really  great  program.  Especially  is  this  true  if  the  Board,  while 
making  great  calls  on  the  home  Church,  is  through  the  years 
writing  him  letters  of  caution.  How  much  more  stimulating  it 
would  be  to  encourage  each  mission  to  submit  an  inclusive  pro- 
gram for  development ;  then,  for  the  Board  to  take  this  as  a 
basis,  enlarging,  balancing,  verifying  and  adjusting  it  in  accord- 
ance with  the  method  followed  in  the  case  of  other  projects  con- 
ducted to-day  in  the  homeland. 

28 


After  two  years  of  investigations  and  conferences  which  have 
rarely  been  equalled  on  any  other  mission  field  in  thoroughness 
and  scope,  there  is  no  lack  of  material  for  making  a  careful  plan 
for  the  next  ten  years  for  each  Latin-American  field. 

Such  a  definite  program  is  imperative,  not  only  for  the  sake 
of  the  field,  but  for  enlisting  the  high-tide  of  interest  in  Latin 
America  now  found  l)oth  among  the  prospective  missionaries  and 
among  missionary  supporters. 

President  Wilson  is  said  to  favor  "speeding  up  the  war."  We 
must  speed  up  our  missionary  work  in  Lattin  America.  There 
have  been  won  barely  100,000  church  members  so  far.'  At  this 
rate,  it  will  take  a  millenium  for  the  accomplishment  of  the  task 
before  the  evangelical  churches.    This  ought  not  to  be  true. 

Enlarging  the  Work  of  the  Coimnittee  on  Cooperation. — How- 
ever, if  we  are  to  "speed  up"  our  war,  there  is  need  not  only  that 
every  Board  and  Mission  individually  do  its  utmost,  but  also  that 
their  work  be  increasingly  coordinated  through  a  "Central  War 
Council."  My  tour  has  shown  me  that  the  Central  Committee  on 
Cooperation  in  Latin  America  and  the  Regional  Committees  have 
a  far  larger  field  of  service  than  we  have  even  suspected.  Be- 
sides acting  as  a  Board  of  strategy  to  plan  certain  united  move- 
ments in  schools  and  presses  and  territorial  occupation,  we  should 
contribute  more  largely  to  keeping  up  the  morale  of  the  men  at 
the  front.  Contracts  with  interdenominational  committees  can- 
not be  expected  to  take  the  place  of  that  with  their  own  Boards. 
But  in  the  matter  of  keeping  the  workers  informed,  by  literature 
and  personal  correspondence,  of  the  advance  movements  of  the 
Kingdom,  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  could  make  a  most  val- 
uable contribution  that  would  be  deeply  appreciated  by  those  far 
removed  from  such  movements.  Letters  and  articles  to  evangeli- 
cal and  secular  papers  on  the  field  would  do  much  in  this  direc- 
tion. Much  literature  distributed  free  by  philanthropic  and  edu- 
cational movements  could  be  gotten  into  the  hands  of  the  work- 
ers with  no  more  expense  than  the  time  employed  in  collecting  it. 
This  service  should  be  extended  to  helping  the  missionaries  on 
furlough,  and  the  Latin-American  pastors,  who  are  increasingly 
planning  to  visit  North  America. 

'  It  can  be  fairly  said  that  we  have  had  half  a  century  to  experirnent. 
The  South  American  Alissionary  Society,  which  backed  Allan  Gardiner, 
was  founded  in  1844.  David  Trumbull  landed  in  Valparaiso  in  1846.  Dr. 
Kelly  began  his  work  in  Brazil  in  1855,  while  H.  B.  Pratt  went  to  Colom- 
bia in  1856. 

29 


The  Regional  Committee  will  become  increasingly  valuable  aids 
to  the  individual  Boards.  Three  of  these  had  been  delayed  in 
their  organization  by  opposition  from  those  who  misunderstood 
the  purpose  of  the  whole  cooperative  movement.  These  misun- 
derstandings have  been  removed  by  personal  visitation.  Before  I 
reached  one  field,  a  prominent  missionary  declared  that  the  com- 
mittee's program  should  be  blocked.  When  he  discovered  that 
the  committee  had  no  secret  scheme  or  preconceived  plans  to 
force  on  his  field,  he  became  one  of  the  most  helpful  contribu- 
tors. At  the  present  time  each  Regional  Committee  is  well  or- 
ganized. The  confidence  of  members  in  one  another  will  increase 
as  they  work  together ;  at  present  the  work  is  largely  limited  to 
the  development  of  certain  interdenominational  institutions.  Soon 
they  will  be  working  together  on  the  more  difficult  questions  in- 
volved in  the  development  of  the  National  Church,  those  of  self- 
support,  of  the  relations  between  missionaries  and  nationals,  of 
the  administration  of  missionary  and  national  funds,  and  of  the 
projection  of  the  Church  into  the  unreached  classes.  These  Re- 
gional Committees  will  be  of  incalculable  help  to  Boards  at  home 
in  solving  all  such  problems.  It  would  dignify  the  work  of  these 
committees  if  Boards  would  request  their  missionaries  to  refer 
certain  problems  to  their  regional  organizations. 

I  found  some  cases  where  Boards  had  never  indicated  to  their 
workers  that  they  recognized  either  the  central  or  regional  Com- 
mittees on  Cooperation  as  helpful  agencies  in  solving  their  prob- 
lems, yet  at  home  these  same  Boards  are  active  in  supporting  the 
central  committee. 

If  each  Board  would  encourage  its  representatives  to  regard 
their  membership  on  the  proper  Regional  Committee  as  a  serious 
part  of  their  work,  they  would  feel  more  like  giving  the  definite 
time  necessary  to  this  service.  Many  union  enterprises  suffer  be- 
cause those  responsible  for  them  are  loaded  down  with  other 
work  in  their  own  mission,  and  no  provision  has  been  made  for 
the  time  and  money  spent  in  attending  interdenominational  con- 
ferences and  in  serving  union  institutions.  Yet  this  service  is  con- 
sidered not  only  legitimate,  but  indispensable  in  the  w^ork  of 
Board  secretaries  to-day  at  home.  Why  should  it  not  be  so  in 
the  field?  The  Regional  Committees  need  funds  for  the  efficient 
performance  of  their  tasks,  and  an  increasing  number  of  men  to 
be  set  aside  to  carry  on  specific  details  of  their  interdenomina- 
tional work. 

Funds  invested  in  the  program  of  cooperation  bring  large  re- 

30 


turns.  Probably  no  money  Mission  Boards  have  spent  in  Latin 
America  for  a  long  time  has  been  more  wisely  used  than  that 
which  paid  the  expenses  of  representatives  from  the  field  to  the 
Panama  Congress.  Wherever  one  meets  a  worker  who  attended 
the  Congress,  he  immediately  recognized  a  spirit  of  progress, 
open-mindedness  and  faith,  who  can  be  counted  on  for  coopera- 
tion and  advance.  It  was  very  striking  to  see  how  much  those 
workers,  when  delegates  to  the  Congress,  had  grown  since  I  saw 
them  at  their  work  three  years  ago.  I  was  often  told  that  even 
the  questionaires  sent  out  were  a  great  stimulant  to  workers  who 
were  there  to  face  questions  and  make  investigations  that  had 
never  occurred  to  them  before.  It  seems  well  established  that  the 
work  of  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  so  far  has  been  earnestly 
worth  while. 

With  this  encouraging  record,  and  ever  remembering  that  its 
functions  are  "consultative  and  advisory,  not  legislative  or  man- 
datory," the  Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Latin  America  should, 
I  believe,  seriously  face  a  much  larger  program  than  it  has  here- 
tofore conceived  to  be  its  dutv. 


III.    THE  COOPERATIVE  PROGRAM  IN 
LATIN  AMERICA. 

The  failure  of  the  World  Missionary  Conference  to  discuss  the 
problems  of  Latin  America,  and  the  g'rowing  interest  in  these 
lands  on  account  of  the  opening  of  the  Panama  Canal  and  other 
Pan-American  developments,  led  the  Foreign  Missionary  Confer- 
ence of  North  America  to  appoint,  in  191 3,  a  committee  to  or- 
ganize a  small  conference  on  Latin  America.  At  this  conference, 
held  in  New  York  in  191 3,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  deal 
with  questions  of  cooperation  in  Latin  America.  This  committee 
was  afterward  enlarged  by  practically  all  the  Boards  working  in 
Latin  America  officially  appointing  members  of  it.  The  Panama 
Congress  was  an  outgrowth  of  the  work  of  this  organization, 
which  came  to  be  called  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Latin 
America. 

After  ten  days  of  facing  the  tremendous  needs  of  Latin  Amer- 
ica, the  Panama  Congress  felt  that  it  was  necessary  to  develop  a 
great  united  advance  in  these  countries.  The  Committee  on  Co- 
operation was  asked  to  make  itself  thoroughly  representative  of 
all  the  Christian  forces  of  Europe  and  North  America  serving 
Latin  America,  and  to  act  as  a  continuation  committee  for  the 
Congress.  The  war  prevented  the  organization  of  the  European 
section,  but  the  North  American  section  began  its  work  at  once. 
Immediately  after  the  Panama  Congress,  deputations  visited  all 
parts  of  Latin  America  and  held  Regional  Conferences,  at  which 
time  were  organized  Regional  Committees  on  Cooperation.  The 
findings  of  the  Panama  Congress  and  the  Regional  Conferences 
proposed  a  number  of  different  steps  along  the  lines  of  the  de- 
lineation of  territory,  cooperation  in  the  production  of  Christian 
literature,  evangelical  education,  and  an  adequate  training  for  the 
Christian  ministry. 

The  visit  of  which  this  is  a  report,  was  undertaken  as  Execu- 
tive Secretary  of  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Latin  Amer- 
ica, in  connection  with  this  program,  as  is  shown  by  the  following 
letter  from  Mr.  Robert  E.  Speer : 

"As  you  are  about  to  start  on  the  visit  to  Latin  America,  under  instri» 
tions  from  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Latin  America,  representing 
the  American  Mission  Boards  working  in  the  Latin  American  countries, 

32 


it  may  he  well  for  me.  as  Chairman  of  the  Committee,  to  hand  you  this 
formal  note  of  authorization. 

"The  deputation  which  vLsited  South  America  after  the  Panama  Con- 
gress, held  in  February,  1916,  recommended  in  its  report  to  the  Committee 
on  Cooperation  in  Latin  America  that,  as  soon  as  it  could  be  arranged, 
you  as  Secretary  of  the  Committee  should  be  commissioned  to  make  a 
tour  of  the  entire  mission  field  of  Latin  America  with  suiilkient  time  for 
full  conferences  with  the  Re.Hional  Committees  for  study  of  the  problems 
on  the  held  and  for  unliurried  ])crsonal  conversations  with  the  workers 
and  to  bring  to  them  and  to  the  churches  the  assurance  of  the  interest 
and  support  of  the  Mission  Boards  at  Home  and  of  the  desire  of  the 
Latin  American  Committee,  representing  the  Boards,  to  be  of  help  to  the 
missions  in  whatever  way  might  be  found  practicable.  This  recommenda- 
tion of  the  deputation  was  approved  by  the  Executive  Committee  of  the 
Committee  on  Cooperation  and  subsequently  by  the  full  committee  at  the 
annual  meeting  in  January,  1917. 

"The  understanding  of  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  is  that  you  will 
bear  its  greetings  to  all  the  missionary  agencies  working  in  Latin  America, 
and  assure  them  of  the  committee's  desire  to  be  of  any  possible  service  to 
them.  Please  make  clear  that  the  committee  is  not  an  external  agency, 
but  is  simply  the  cooperative  activity  of  the  different  Boards,  and  that  its 
function  is  simply  to  provide  a  channel  for  efficient  effort  in  those  activi- 
ties where  the  Boards  find  it  to  their  interest  and  the  interest  of  their 
work  to  act  cooperatively.  You  are  desired  to  meet  with  the  Regional 
Committees  in  the  various  fields,  to  confer  with  the  missionaries  in  the 
freest  and  fullest  way,  to  learn  from  them  their  judgments  and  desires, 
and  to  bring  back  to  the  Boards  and  to  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  a 
report  as  to  what  can  wisely  be  done  in  forwarding  the  work  in  Latin 
America." 

The  trip  was  probably  the  most  inchisive  that  has  been  made  by 
any  representative  of  an  American  missionary  organization.  It 
was  eminently  worth  while.  With  only  a  few  hours  face  to  face 
with  workers,  misunderstandings,  both  as  to  local  matters  and 
the  cooperative  program,  were  removed  which  otherwise  might 
have  delayed  the  cooperative  program  for  many  years. 

In  regard  to  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  and  the  Regional 
Committees,  I  endeavored  to  make  at  least  the  following  points 
clear : 

1.  That  all  committees  are  primarily  for  conference.  Any  one 
that  is  willing  to  sit  around  a  council  table  and  discuss  the  ad- 
vancement of  the  Kingdom  need  not  hesitate  to  accept  member- 
ship ;  that  no  member  promised  to  do  more. 

2.  That  no  action  of  either  committee  was  more  than  a  recom- 
mendation to  the  various  cooperating  bodies,  to  be  approved  or 
rejected  as  they  saw  fit. 

3.  That  unanimous  cooperation  was  not  necessary  ;  if  any  two 
or  more  bodies  wished  to    enter  a    cooperative    enterprise,  and 

3.3 


others,  for  reasons  of  polity  or  otherwise,  did  not  care  to  enter, 
there  should  be  no  embarrassment  on  either  side. 

4.  That  they  do  not  in  any  way  take  the  place  of  the  Boards 
and  the  Missions  and  their  direct  relationship  between  one  an- 
other. The  Committee  on  Cooperation  only  assumes  authority 
to  direct  when  the  constituent  bodies  request  it  in  special  cases. 

5.  That  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  has  no  extraneous  pro- 
gram or  pet  schemes  to  force  on  the  field.  No  plan  will  be 
pushed  that  does  not  commend  itself  to  the  best  judgment  of  the 
field. 

6.  That  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  is  not  an  irresponsible' 
body,  created  by  a  group  interested  in  a  special  program,  but  is 
officially  representative  of  the  Mission  Boards  which  have  each 
appointed  its  member. 

7.  That  the  judgments  of  the  Regional  Committees,  composed 
of  the  leading  workers  in  the  country,  while  not  mandatory,  will 
have  great  weight  with  the  home  constituency,  and  that  these  are 
the  natural  bodies  in  which  the  Boards  expect  all  interdenomi- 
national matters  to  receive  attention. 

In  only  two  cases  had  the  Regional  Committees  already  been 
able  to  completely  organize,  and  in  each  of  these  there  was  a  hesi- 
tation as  to  methods  of  attaining  the  desired  ends.  It  must  be 
remembered  that  organized  cooperation  among  missionary  bodies 
in  Latin  America  is  practically  a  new  thing.  There  are  no  prece- 
dents to  guide.  Workers  felt  hampered  by  not  understanding 
their  Boards'  wishes,  or  just  how  far  the  missionaries  themselves 
were  to  lead.  Doubtful  matters  were  cleared  up  and  the  complete 
organization  of  Regional  Committees  in  Mexico,  Cuba,_  Peru, 
Panama,  Bolivia,  Chile,  Argentina  (including  Uruguay  and  Para- 
guay), and  Brazil,  was  accomplished  along  the  definite  planning, 
and  in  many  cases  actual  beginning  of  the  following  cooperative 
movements : 

Mexico  :  A  Union  Theological  Seminary  ;*  a  Union  Printing 
Plant;  a  Union  depository  and  paper;  delimitation  of  territtory.* 

Cuba  :  Union  Depository  ;*  allocation  of  a  missionary  for  his 
whole  time  as  Secretary  of  the  Committee  on  Conference  in 
Cuba  ;*  a  better  distribution  of  forces  ;*  a  Cooperative  Social  Ser- 
vice Program. 

Panama  :  An  International  Union  Christian  College ;  a  better 
division  of  work.* 

Peru  :  A  division  of  the  field  into  three  parts  among  the  three 
Societies  ;*  a  Union  paper  ;*  a  Union  Theological  Seminary. 

34 


Bolivia:  A  division  of  territory;*  a  participation  with  Peru 
in  the  Union  paper*,  and  a  Union  Seminary. 

Chile:  An  interdenominational  Academy  for  the  education  of 
the  Church's  children;  a  Union  Normal  School;  a  strengthening 
of  the  Union  paper  and  of  the  Union  Theological  Seminary  ;*  a 
Union  depository  in  Santiago. 

Argentina  :  A  Union  depository  in  Buenos  Aires  ;  a  Union 
educational  work*  and  a  division  of  territory  between  the  Meth- 
odists and  the  Disciples  of  Christ.* 

Brazil  :  Union  Theological  Seminary ;  a  Union  depository, 
and  a  University  Federation*  of  the  evangelical  schools  in  Brazil. 

Porto  Rico,  the  one  other  center  where  a  Regional  Committee 
is  organized,  was  not  included  on  this  trip.  There  is  a  mission- 
ary giving  all  of  his  time  to  the  secretaryship  of  the  Committee 
on  Cooperation  in  Porto  Rico,  with  the  Union  paper,  a  Union  de- 
pository and  several  interdenominational,  educational  enterprises. 

A  much  longer  list  of  projects  could  have  been  approved,  but 
it  was  thought  best  to  push  nothing  that  the  field  is  not  ready 
for  and  the  accomplishment  of  which  is  not  entirely  feasible  im- 
mediately. 

The  Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Latin  America  now  has  three 
secretaries,  all  missionaries  allocated  by  their  Boards  to  the  spe- 
cial service,  as  follows:  Executive  Secretary,  Samuel  G.  Inman, 
25  Madison  Avenue,  New  York;  Editorial  Secretary,  George  B. 
Winton,  22 11  Highland  Avenue,  Nashville,  Tenn. ;  Educational 
Secretary  for  South  America,  Webster  E.  Browning,  2126  Calle 
Ghana,  Montevideo,  Uruguay.  Two  missionaries  are  giving  all 
their  time  as  secretaries  of  Regional  Committees :  Sylvester 
Jones,  Egido  12,  Havana,  Cuba;  Philo  W.  Drury,  Apt.  423, 
Ponce,  Porto  Rico.  Juan  Ortz  Gonzales  has  just  been  allocated 
to  the  Literature  Department  of  the  Central  Committee  as  trans- 
lator. George  P.  Howard  of  Buenos  y\ires  is  giving  half  of  his 
time  as  Continental  Secretary  of  the  World's  Sunday  School  As- 
sociation. 

The  following  questionaire  was  used  as  the  basis  of  meetings 
with  the  Regional  Committees  and  in  conferences  with  various 
groups  of  workers. 

1.  How  far  have  the  findings  of  the  Regional  Conference  on  Survey 
and  Occupation  been  carried  out?  What  further  steps  are  necessary  to 
attain  these  recommendations? 


*Projects  marked  with  asterisk  are  already  begun. 

35 


2.  Is  it  desirable  to  make  a  scientific  and  thorough  study  of  your  field 
at  this  time?  If  so,  what  is  the  most  practical  plan  for  its  accomplish- 
ment? 

3.  What  phases  of  the  gospel  need  the  greatest  emphasis  at  the  pres- 
ent time? 

4.  How  can  evangelical  work  more  largely  influence  the  life  of  the 
community  at  large  and  raise  the  moral  standards  of  those  outside  the 
church  attendants? 

5.  Is  the  time  ripe  for  a  united  evangelistic  campaign  in  your  field, 
and,  if  so,  what  should  characterize  its  preparation,  conduct,  and  conserva- 
tion of  results? 

6.  How  far  have  the  Regional  Conference  Findings  on  Education 
been  carried  out,  and  what  practical  steps  are  necessary  for  the  comple- 
tion of  the  program  outlined? 

7.  What  suggestions  have  you  concerning  the  work  of  the  newly  ap- 
pointed Educational  Secretary  of  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Latin 
America? 

8.  What  facts  and  tendencies  in  government  education  do  you  consider 
most  significant  from  the  point  of  view  of  missionarj'  education? 

9.  How  can  theological  education  in  South  America  be  strengthened? 

10.  How  can  the  carrying  out  of  the  Regional  Conference  Findings  on 
Literature  be  assured? 

11.  \\  hat  suggestions  have  you  concerning  the  work  of  the  newly 
appointed  Editorial  Secretary  of  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Latin 
America? 

12.  What  suggestions  have  you  concerning  the  new  books  that  trte 
Committee  on  Cooperation  proposes  to  prepare  on  (1)  Apologetics;  (2) 
Personal  Work;  (3)  Community  Betterment;  (4)  Religious  Education; 
(5)   a  Bible  Commentary? 

13.  Is  a  Union  Depository  practicable  and  desirable  in  your  field? 

14.  How  can  a  larger  number  of  Christian  leaders  be  developed? 

15.  What  more  can  be  done  toward  the  establishment  of  self-support- 
ing and  self-propagating  churches? 

16.  To  what  practical  conclusion  does  the  study  by  the  Panama  and 
Regional  Conferences  concerning  woman's  work  point? 

■  17.  What  is  the  judgment  of  the  evangelical  forces  and  the  public  in 
general  concerning  the  Panama  and  Regional  Conferences?  How  widely 
are  the  reports  of  these  gatherings  being  circulated? 

18.  Is  your  Regional  Committee  satisfactorily  organized  and  are  its 
relations  with  the  various  missions  arranged  for  the  best  service?  Can 
the  present  officers  and  committeemen  give  sufficient  time  to  the  work  to 
carry  out  the  cooperative  program  projected,  or  should  provision  be  made 
for  allocating  men  for  certain  parts  of  the  work?  How  may  the  Com- 
mittee on  Cooperation  in  Latin  America  best  serve  the  work  on  the  field? 

19.  Are  there  any  marked  changes  taking  place  in  the  Roman  Catholic 
Church  in  your  field?  What  is  the  general  attitude  of  government  officials 
and  prominent  citizens  toward  the  evangelical  work  at  the  present  time? 

20.  Is  interest  in  religion  growing  among  the  working,  the  commercial 
classes,  the  student  classes,  professional  men  and  officials? 

21.  How  far  are  the  questions  of  Socialism,  industrial  development, 
the  land-  problem,  immigration,  and  similar  problems  influencing  your 
field? 

22.  What  effect  is  the  European  War  having  on  the  people  in  general 
and  on  the  enlargement,  financing,  and  spiritual  life  of  the  evangelical 
churches? 

36 


23.  What  changes  are  taking  place  in  regard  to  national  spirit  and 
international  friendship? 

24.  What  are  the  outstanding  needs  of  your  field?  What  particular 
considerations  do  you  desire  to  have  brought  before  the  missionary  so- 
cieties and  the  home  constituency? 

A'ly  notebooks  are  filled  with  information  concerning  each  of 
these  questions,  and  it  has  been  a  difficult  task  to  select  material 
for  a  report.  The  following  chapters  were  written  in  the  coun- 
tries they  describe,  and  it  has  seemed  best  to  give  them  as  first 
written  rather  than  reorganize  the  material  in  a  more  logical  but 
less  personal  way. 


37 


IV.    MEXICO 

T  spent  four  weeks  in  Mexico.  Entering  at  Piedras  Negras, 
my  old  home,  I  had  several  days  at  that  city,  in  Saltillo  and 
Monterey,  eight  days  in  the  capital,  and  four  in  Vera  Cruz, — 
thus  traversing  practically  the  length  of  the  Republic.  As  soon 
as  I  had  succeeded  in  getting  away  from  all  the  fears  incurred  as 
a  result  of  two  years'  residence  in  the  United  States,  I  traveled 
about  with  little  less  discomfort  than  usual.  At  Havana  I  got 
my  first  New  York  papers  and  found  on  the  first  page,  "Washing- 
ton Rumor  of  Mexican  Revolt — Concerned  over  Report  Carranza 
has  been  overthrown — Washinigton  out  of  Communication  with 
Mexico  City  for  Several  Days."  On  that  very  day  the  papers  in 
Mexico  City  were  reporting  the  details  of  the  war  discussions  in 
Washington,  and  there  was  absolute  calm  in  the  National  Palace, 
where  General  Carranza  was  as  serenely  transacting  business  as 
ever. 

I  had  been  anxious  to  see  the  General  again  and  learn  whether 
he  had  really  changed,  since  the  time  when  as  Governor  of  the 
State  of  Coahuila,  I  knew  him.  Then  we  talked  by  the  hour 
over  the  problems  of  education  and  taxation,  when  nothing  was 
further  from  his  mind  than  becoming  a  soldier.  His  faith  in  the 
common  Mexican  seemed  to  me  then  to  be  ideal.  I  remember 
his  telling  me  about  what  his  old  grandfather  did  when  there  was 
a  dispute  between  him  and  another  citizen  about  the  mayoralty. 
To  settle  the  latter,  the  people  who  were  in  favor  of  one  side 
were  asked  to  line  up  on  one  side  of  the  plaza,  and  those  opposed 
on  the  opposite  side.    The  majority  ruled. 

In  Coahuila  our  families  visited  back  and  forth  and  the  Car- 
ranzas  were  as  good  neighbors  as  we  ever  had.  Sefiora  Carranza 
and  the  two  young  lady  daughters  were  quiet,  unpretentious 
people  of  what  we  would  call  the  upper  middle  class.  When  the 
fighting  got  so  bad  that  the  General  had  to  put  himself  at  the 
head  of  his  troops,  and  it  was  no  longer  safe  for  the  rest  of  his 
family  to  stay  in  Mexico,  it  was  our  sad  privilege  to  take  them 
in  our  carriage  across  the  International  bridge  into  Texas.  In 
its  center,  where  the  monument  marks  the  boundary  between  the 
two  nations,  the  husband  and  father  bade  good-bye  to  his  loved 
ones.  After  witnessing  that  scene,  I  could  never  believe  stories 
attacking  his  moral  character. 

So  it  was  a  real  pleasure  to  find  him  here  as  the  President- 

38 


elect  of  the  nation,  the  same  simple,  honest  man  with  the  same 
quiet  purpose  and  the  same  dogged  determination  that  I  had 
known  before.  Reports  indicate  that  conditions  are  steadily  im- 
proving since'  the  beginning  of  the  constitutional  regime. 

I  found  everywhere  a  cordial  regard  for  the  work  of  Protestant 
Missions.  This  is  natural,  when  so  many  of  the  officials  have 
been  educated  in  evangelical  institutions.  I  found  men  occupying 
prominent  positions  everywhere  I  went  who  had  been  pupils  in 
our  mission  schools,  or  who  had  known  the  work  and  had  reason 
to  be  thankful  for  what  it  had  done. 

It  is  in  the  hands  of  these  young  fellows  that  one  finds  the 
destinies  of  Mexico  at  the  present  time.  They  are  often,  very 
often,  without  experience,  yet  they  are  forward  looking  fellows. 
The  young  mayor  of  Piedras  Negras  came  to  the  night  classes 
in  the  People's  Institute  not  over  six  years  ago,  when  he  could 
scarcely  read.  It  is  not  surprising,  therefore,  to  find  that  he  has 
all  kinds  of  schemes  in  hand  for  night  classes,  public  baths,  read- 
ing rooms,  and  similar  facilities  along  the  lines  he  saw  worked 
"out  at  the  Institute.  And  he  is  not  only  willing  but  really  hunger- 
ing to  be  led  by  those  who  can  show  him  how  to  improve  his 
people  by  these  modern  means. 

On  finding  it  necessary  to  ask  ^  some  favors  of  the  superin- 
tendent of  the  Pullman  Service  of  INIexico,  I  discovered  the  posi- 
tion was  held  by  a  young  man  who  several  years  ago  had  worked 
in  the  railroad  shops  in  Piedras  Negras.  He  appeared  at  my 
office  one  day  and  said  that  his  life  was  such  a  failure  that  he 
had  decided  to  put  an  end  to  it ;  but  something  he  had  seen  in 
our  reading  room  gave  him  a  little  hope,  and  if  I  thought  it  was 
worth  while  for  him  to  live,  he  would  be  willing  to  follow  my 
exact  directions,  like  al  physician's  prescription.  We  prescribed 
how  he  was  to  spend  nis  time,  his  attitude  of  mind,  and  every 
detail  of  his  life.  In  a  little  while  people  were  remarking  on  the 
change  even  in  his  features.  He  became  the  brightest  pupil  in 
our  night  classes,  the  leader  in  his  labor  union,  and  about  a  year 
bter  joined  the  Church.  I  had  lost  track  of  him  for  some  time, 
and  now  find  him  in  this  high  position. 

These  are  illustrations  of  work  done  by  the  People's  Institute 
during  six  years  of  revolution,  when  it  has  never  been  closed. 
It  confirms  by  actual  experiment,  during  a  most  difficult  period, 
the  value  of  this  kind  of  work  for  Latin  America.  It  was  organ- 
ized in  order  that  the  community  as  a  unit  might  receive  the 
impact  of  our  Christianity,  and  appreciate  the  social  and  political, 
as  well  as  the  theological  significance  of  the  teachings  of  Jesus. 

.39 


The  uniqueness  of  the  Institute  does  not  consist  so  much  in  its 
methods  of  service — such  as  night  classes,  circulating  libraries, 
out-door  gymnasium,  cooking  classes,  community  debating  clubs, 
lectures  on  social,  educational  and  religious  thernes,  and  such 
things.  It  consists  rather  in  the  persistent  insistence  that  this 
movement  is  of,  for  and  by  the  people.  It  was  because  the  insti- 
tute said  to  the  people,  "We  are  here  to  help  you  solve  your  prob- 
lems, to  lose  ourselves  in  your  life  and  your  struggles,"  instead 
of  saying,  "We  are  here  to  ask  you  to  help  us  build  up  an  organi- 
zation which  we,  as  foreigners,  have  found  to  be  the  saving 
quality  in  our  own  nation's  life,"  that  the  work  became  known 
and  loved,  in  a  remarkable  degree  by  its  own  community. 

Sitting  in  the  reception  room  of  the  People's  Institute  after 
having  examined  its  work,  then  Governor  now  President  Car- 
ranza,  said  that  if  there  were  twenty-five  such  institutions  scat- 
tered over  Mexico  the  problem  of  revolution  would  soon  be 
solved.  And  that  sentiment  has  been  echoed  by  large  numbers 
who  care  little  for  the  propaganda  of  a  foreign  religion,  but  who 
recognize  the  saving  power  of  a  Gospel  such  as  is  there  ex- 
emplified. 

The  Mexican  question  is  not  the  case  of  a  revolution  that  must 
be  squelched,  but  an  evolution  that  must  be  guided.  We  might 
as  well  settle  down  to  the  fact  that  it  is  the  problem  of  slowly 
changing  a  nation  into  the  image  of  God — a  God  whose  very 
name  is  unknown  to  one-fifth  of  the  population  and  whose  Book 
can  not  be  read  by  four-fifths  of  its  people.  The  Mexican  people 
are  not  to  blame  for  the  chaotic  condition  of  their  country. 

There  are  great  underlying  causes  for  the  present  unrest.  A 
strong  dictatorship  might  keep  those  causes  beneath  the  surface 
for  a  time,  as  it  has  in  the  past,  but  this  will  only  postpone  the 
settlement  of  these  questions,  which  must  be  settled  right  before 
revolution  permanently  disappears  from  the  country.  These  ques- 
tions are  primarily  moral  and  economic,  rather  than  religious 
and  political.  The  Mexican  does  not  care  so  much  about  the  right 
to  vote  as  he  does  the  right  to  live.  He  does  not  need  so  much 
a  change  in  his  creed  as  he  needs  a  change  in  his  morals.  The 
land  baron  and  the  priest  have  continued  their  unholy  alliance 
from  the  days  of  the  Conquistador es  till  the  present,  playing 
alternately  the  one  into  the  hands  of  the  other,  to  keep  the  people 
in  ignorance,  superstition  and  debt,  so  that  the  exploitation,  both 
by  padre  and  amo,  would  be  sure  and  easy.  Out  of  this  system 
of  exploitation  there  have  grown  up  a  thousand  minor  evils.  The 
burden  has  become  greater  than  the  people  are  willing  to  bear, 

40 


in  these  days  when  enlarged  educational  advantages,  developed 
in  spite  of  these  feudal  conditions,  have  gradually  opened  the  eyes 
Df  the  ever  increasing  middle  class. 

Along  with  this  new  industrial  and  social  order,  for  which  the 
Deople  have  been  fighting,  there  must  come  another  thing  if 
Mexico  is  to  become  a  strong  nation,  a  thing  which  the  people 
lave  not  yet  seen,  viz,  moral  stamina.  No  scheme  for  dividing 
:he  great  landed  estates  among  the  people,  no  enactment  of  laws 
ior  the  amelioration  of  the  peon,  no  free  press  or  suffrage,  will 
tolve  the  question  unless  there  is  an  instillmg  of  the  great  moral 
principles  taught  in  the  Sermon  on  the  Mount.  As  Col.  Roosevelt 
;aid  to  the  Brazilians :  "Character  must  ever  outrank  genius  and 
ntellect.  The  State  can  not  prosper  unless  the  average  man  can 
;ake  care  of  himself ;  and  neither  can  it  prosper  unless  the  aver- 
ge  man  realizes  that,  in  addition  to  the  taking  care  of  himself, 
le  must  work  with  his  fellows  with  good  sense  and  honesty,  and 
)ractical  acknowledgment  of  obligation  to  the  community  as  a 
vhole  for  the  things  that  are  vital  to  the  interests  of  the  com- 
nunity  as  a  whole." 

This  viewpoint  of  life  is  entirely  new  to  the  Mexican.  It  is 
lot  fair  to  say  that  he  is  incapable  of  appreciating  it,  for  he  has 
lever  had  it  presented  to  him.  Clericalism  and  vested  interests 
lave,  both  by  example  and  precept,  taught  him  the  opposite  all 
h rough  the  centuries. 

^Missionary  experts  have  said  that  Mexico  is  a  more  difficult" 
ield  than  China  or  India.  There  are  many  reasons  for  this, 
mong  which  is  the  fact  that  the  thinking  men  of  Mexico,  having 
>ecome  disgusted  with  the  rottenness  of  the  priesthood,  have 
urned  from  the  Roman  church  and  believe  that  there  is  no  re-  ' 
gion  for  them.  The  fact  that  the  work  of  Protestantism  has 
leen  carried  on  largely  among  the  lower  classes,  causes  them  to 
onsider  it  as  unworthy  of  their  attention. 

But  certainly  there  is  a  better'  day  ahead.  Present  conditions 
re  compelling  us  to  realize  that  the  call  of  Mexico,  so  long  un- 
leeded,  must  be  answered.  And  it  must  be  answered  by  the  ap- 
tlication  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ  to  the  great  moral  and  economic 
•roblems  which  await  solution  in  that  beautiful  land  of  sunshine 
nd  shadow. 

If  we  had  done  this  as,  consistently  as  we  have  developed  her 

latural    resources,   there   would  be   no    ]\Iexican   problem.      The 

nited  States  assigned  to  pay  for  the  troop  movements  to  protect 

fur  border  last  year  the  sum  of  $130,000,000.    This  amount  would 

lace  in  every  town  and  city  of  Alexico   with  more  than   four 

41 


thousand  people  a  People's  Institute,  a  college,  a  hospital  and  a 
church,  all  magnificently  equipped,  and  sustain  an  ample  corps 
of  workers  in  all  these  institutions  for  a  period  of  ten  years ;  and 
over  and  above  this  it  would  enable  us  to  provide  for  the  endow 
ment  of  the  public  school  funds  of  each  of  these  municipalities 
with  the  sum  of  $750,000,  the  annual  interest  of  6  per  cent,  on 
which  would  be  more  than  the  Mexican  government  has  ever 
paid  for  education  in  any  single  year  of  her  history. 

The  National  Convention  of  the  Evangelical  Churches  was  held 
in  Mexico  City  March  28  to  April  2.  There  were  present,  secre 
taries  or  other  representatives  from  almost  all  the  Boards  in  the 
United  States  doing  work  in  Mexico.  It  was  the  first  time  it  had 
been  possible  to  hold  such  a  gathering  for  six  years.  Because  of 
the  revolution,  the  Regional  Congress,  planned  to  follow  Panama, 
likewise  was  not  able  to  meet  before  this  time. 

At  a  time  when  many  in  the  United  States  earnestly  protested 
against  the  holding  of  the  convention  because  of  the  political  con- 
ditions and  difficulties  of  travel,  there  had  assembled  more  than 
one  hundred  officially  appointed  delegates,  and  probably  double 
that  number  of  visitors,  to  face  the  problems  of  advance  for  the 
evangelical  work  in  Mexico.  One  faithful  Mexican  minister  from 
Sonora  had  traveled  some  two  thousand  five  hundred  miles  to  get 
to  the  conference,  and  several  had  come  at  least  half  that  distance, 
while  of  course  the  delegates  from  the  United  States  had  doubled 
it. 

While  the  delegates  from  the  Mission  Boards  insisted  that  the 
gathering  be  conducted  by  the  Mexican  brethren  themselves  as 
one  of  their  regular  national  conventions  which  have  been  held  for 
some  20  years,  the  latter  were  ecjually  insistent  that  it  should  be 
considered  as  a  part  of  the  movement  fostered  by  the  Committee 
on  Cooperation  in  Latin  America  and  passed  the  following  reso- 
lution : 

"This  Convention  is  called  'national'  because  it  only  includes  the 
Mexican  people,  but  its  organization  is  on  the  same  basis  as  the 
Panama  Congress  and  the  Regional  Conferences  that  followed." 

The  Mexican  brethren  who  were  elected  as  officers  showed 
themselves  highly  capable.  The  seven  minutes"  rule  for  discus- 
sion was  often  changed  to  five  for  each  speaker,  in  order  to  give 
all  a  chance.     The  discussions  were  of  the  highest  order. 

During  the  four  days  of  the  Convention  eight  reports  on  the  ] 
same  subjects  studied  at  Panama  were  presented.     These  were  { 
all  of  high  order,  and  one  of  fifty  pages  on  "Message  and  Meth- 
od" had  been  printed  at  the  expense  of  the   Committee  itself. 

42 


Co-operation  was  the  central  idea  in  all  these  discussions,  and 
the  plans  suggested  at  the  Cincinnati  Conference  in  1914  were 
generally  the  basis.  x-\t  that  conference,  where  most  of  the  Boards 
;  and  missionary  representatives  met,  there  were  few  Mexicans 
!  present.  At  Cincinnati  no  adequate  measures  were  taken  to  ex- 
plain to  the  leaders  and  churches  in  Mexico  the  meaning  of  the 
division  of  territory  suggested,  the  union  of  evangelical  papers, 
theological  seminaries,  and  other  movements  agreed  upon  by  that 
body.  There  had,  therefore,  been  some  opposition  to  the  plan 
by  the  Mexicans,  who  thought  that  the  Mission  Boards  were  in- 
terfering with  the  sovereignty  of  the  native  churches.  These 
points  were  all  discussed  in  the  frankest  way.  It  was  pointed  out 
that  the  Mission  Boards  were  only  trying  to  arrange  the  work 
for  which  they  were  particularly  responsible  so  that  there  would 
not  be  great  duplications  of  work  in  some  fields  and  no  wo'rk  at 
all  in  others.  There  are,  for  example,  some  cities  where  there 
are 'many  workers,  and  whole  states  of  a  million  population  with- 
out one  foreign  missionary.  When  the  few  Mexican  leaders 
who  had  opposed  the  division  of  territorial  responsibility  under- 
stood what  it  really  meant  in  the  program  of  Mexican  evangeli- 
zation, and  that  it  was  not  proposed  in  any  way  to  invade  the 
rights  of  independent,  self-supporting  congregations,  they  became 
enthusiastic  supporters  of  the  plan. 

To  illustrate  the  point  that  the  plans  made  at  Cincinnati  were 
not  final,  but  only  the  beginning  of  an  arrangement  for  the  com- 
plete occupation  of  Alexico,  one  of  the  speakers  told  the  story 
of  the  conference  between  Secretary  of  State  Bryan  and  the 
Japanese  ambassador,  concerning  Japanese  immigration.  When 
it  seemed  that  the  deliberations  had  come  to  a  deadlock,  the  am- 
bassador said:  "Well,  Mr.  Secretary,  is  this  your  last  word?" 
And  Mr.  Bryan  replied,  "There  is  no  last  word  between  friends." 
In  this  spirit  the  representatives  of  the  Southern  Methodist 
Church  called  together,  under  the  presidency  of  Bishop  Denny, 
the  representatives  of  the  Congregational,  Disciples  of  Christ, 
Friends  and  Presbyterian  bodies  to  consider  an  amendment  to  the 
distribution  of  the  responsibilities  proposed  at  Cincinnati  which 
would  give  them  a  more  compact  territory,  and  provide  also  for 
a  more  thorough  covering  of  the  whole  field.  The  fine  spirit  of 
comity  was  shown  by  every  one  present  voting  to  submit  the  pro- 
posal, as  an  amendment  to  the  Cincinnati  plan,  to  the  Mexican 
churches  and  to  the  several  Boards  for  consideration. 

There  were  many  meetings  like  the  above  between  representa- 
tives of  the  Mission  Boards.     In  fact,  it  may  be  said  that  there 

43 


were  two  parallel  gatherings  going  on  throughout  the  week — the 
National  Convention  and  the  conferences  between  Missionary 
Societies. 

The  revised  plans  for  the  Union  Seminary  ask  each  co-operating 
body  to  contribute  a  sum  not  exceeding  2,y2  per  cent,  of  its  annual 
budget  for  Mexico  to  the  maintenance  of  the  institution,  and  to 
appoint  a  member  of  the  Home  Committee  in  the  United  States, 
and  representatives,  according  to  the  size  of  its  contribution,  to  an 
administrative  council  in  Mexico.  Five  Boards  having  already 
agreed  to  enter  the  new  organization,  a  meeting  of  the  adminis- 
trative council  was  held.  Dr.  John  Rowland,  of  the  Congrega- 
tional Church,  was  elected  president  for  the  first  year :  Dr.  Wil- 
liam Wallace,  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  U.  S.  A.,  and  Dr.  O. 
W.  E.  Cook,  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  were  elected 
professors.  The  school  is  to  be  opened  in  splendid  rented  quar- 
ters in  Mexico  City  on  May  ist.  All  of  the  organization  at  first 
is  temporary  in  order  to  give  the  boards  who  come  later  a  voice 
in  the  permanent  work  of  the  school. 

When  the  question  of  a  union  printing  plant  was  suggested, 
it  was  found  that  there  were  only  two  of  such  plants  in  operation 
at  the  present  time.  So  strong  was  the  spirit  in  favor  of  com- 
bining them  all  that,  when  some  difficulties  were  encountered 
Bishop  McConnell,  whose  church  has  one  of  the  two  large  plants 
now  running,  moved  that  it  be  declared  the  sense  of  the  meeting 
that  the  Methodist  Episcopal  plant  should  be  closed  out  in  order 
to  go  in  with  the  proposed  union  organization.  The  plan  adopted 
proposes  a  joint  printing  plant,  joint  paper  and  joint  book  de- 
pository. To  attain  this  a  society  will  be  formed  with  $25,000 
(gold)  stock  divided  into  five  hundred  shares.  This  will  be  of- 
fered to  the  participating  Boards  in  proportion  to  their  annual 
Mexican  budgets,  and  can  be  paid  for  outright  or  in  instalments 
with  six  per  cent,  interest  on  deferred  payments.  The  Board  of 
Directors  will  elect  the  editor-in-chief  of  the  paper  and  each  com- 
munion will  have  its  representative  on  the  editorial  staff.  This 
society  will  also  publish  union  Sunday  School  literature. 

It  is  not  surprising  that  the  representatives  of  the  Mission 
Boards  took  these  practical  steps  in  co-operation,  when  the  action 
of  the  National  Convention  itself  is  considered.  The  Mexican 
Church  in  these  years  of  trial,  deprived  largely  of  missionaries' 
help,  have  come  to  a  new  sense  of  their  responsibility  and  power. 
The  new  national  spirit  which  is  taking  hold  of  the  country  is 
evidenced  in  the  church,  which  will  become  increasingly  vigorous 
and  independent.    Among  the  twenty-one  recommendations  made 

44 


by  the  Convention  in  favor  of  an  a.^gressive  co-operative  program 
to  take  advantage  of  the  wonderful  opportunities  now  presented 
to  the  church  are : 

1.  The  formation  of  a  Committee  on  Cooperation,  composed 
of  one  national  worker  and  one  missionary  from  each  communion 
or  society  working  in  Mexico.  The  provisional  committee  named 
by  the  Convention  met  the  last  day  and  named  its  officers  and 
committees  to  begin  work  immediately. 

2.  That  the  National  Conventions  be  held  under  the  auspices 
of  this  committee. 

3.  That  an  Interdenominational  Council  of  Education  be 
formed ;  that  a  movement  be  started  toward  a  Mexican  EvauTeli- 
cal  University  ;  that  the  normal  schools  of  Mexico  be  merged  into 
four — two  for  young  women  and  two  for  young  men. 

4.  That  there  be  formed  a  united  publishing  house  for  all  the 
churches,  which  shall  publish  the  organ  of  the  Mexican  Evangeli- 
cal Church,  and  a  young  people's  paper  something  like  the 
"Youth's  Companion";  and  that  philosophical- works,  treatises 
on  Protestantism  and  its  practical  results,  and  literature  that  aids 
young  people  in  solving  their  problems,  be  brought  out  as  rapidly 
as  possible. 

5.  That  plans  for  the  establishment  of  interdenominational 
hospitals  and  dispensaries  be  studied. 

6'.  That  institutional  churches,  settlement  work  and  People's 
Institutes  like  the  one  in  Piedras  Negras,  be  established. 

These  findings  are  truly  representative  of  the  best  leadership 
of  the  Mexican  Church  itself.  Foreigners  composed  much  less 
than  half  of  the  official  list  of  delegates  and  the  discussions  and 
conclusions  were  almost  entirely  those  of  the  Mexican  brethren. 
They  represent  their  profound  conviction  after  days  of  facing  the 
present-day  needs.  There  was  plenty  of  difference  of  opinion 
and  at  times  no  lack  of  feeling,  with  all  sides  of  important  ques- 
tions presented  with  force  and  fidelity.  This  only  served  to  make 
more  profound  the  impression  that  the  final  unity  on  these  pro- 
posals means  that  the  Evangelical  Churches  are  thoroughly  de- 
termined to  move  forward  as  one  to  meet  the  opportunities  and 
responsibilities  thrown  upon  them  by  the  universal  awakening  of 
the  people  caused  by  the  revolution. 

Evidence  is  found  on  every  hand  that  the  leaders  of  the  new 
life  of  Mexico  look  to  the  Evangelical  Churches  and  schools  as 
their  strongest  helpers. 

There  had  been  much  concern  over  the  new  constitution's  re- 
strictions on  religious  work.     President  Carranza  and  other  of- 

45 


ficials  stated  to  us  clearly,  however,  that  the  constitution  would 
not  be  allowed  to  affect  adversely  the  Evangelical  cause.  Later 
reports,  several  months  after  the  constitution  has  gone  into  effect, 
indicate  that  it  has  made  no  differenae  in  mission  work. 

The  sufferings  of  the  last  few  years  and  the  great  opportunities 
brought  about  by  the  revolution  have  driven  the  churches  in 
Mexico  together  in  a  way  which  would  scarcely  have  been  pos- 
sible by  any  other  means.  The  leaders  spread  out  the  map  of 
Mexico  before  them  and  said :  "The  great  question  before  us  is, 
not  how  we  can  push  our  own  work,  but  in  the  face  of  unheard 
of  opportunities,  how  we  can  see  that  every  man  in  Mexico  is 
given  an  opportunity  to  know  Christ."  And  when  the  conven- 
tion had  come  to  that  unity,  the  Spirit's  presence  was  felt  as 
though  we  were  near  another  Pentecost.  With  a  provision  for 
adequate  training  of  the  Mexican  ministry,  the  production  of 
church  literature,  and  the  division  of  territorial  responsibilities 
so  that  the  whole  field  shall  be  covered,  a  constructive  program 
is  outlined  for  the  Evangelical  Churches  to  take  their  legitimate 
part  in  the  great  era  of  reconstruction.  If  the  union  projects 
are  supported,  and  each  Board  properly  supplies  its  recognized 
territory  with  evangelistic,  educational  and  institutional  workers, 
encouraging  the  Mexican  Church  to  assume  an  ever-increasing 
proportion  of  these  responsibilities,  we  will  soon  find  a  new  na- 
tion at  our  southern  border. 


46 


V.    CUBA 

On  account  of  close  proximity  and  intimate  relations  with  the 
United  States,  Cuba  in  many  respects  offers  fewer  difficulties  for 
American  missionaries  than  any  other  Latin-American  country. 
With  an  adequate  program,  there  is  no  reason  for  not  expecting 
the  Protestant  Church  to  be  the  dominant  religious  influence  in 
that  island  in  the  next  decade  or  two.  Unfortunately,  the  pro- 
gram of  the  missionary  societies  there  has  not  been  a  well- 
rounded  one.  The  missionary  societies  did  not  follow  the  same 
plan  in  Cuba  as  they  did  in  Porto  Rico,  when,  after  the  Spanish 
War,  they  began  their  work  by  dividing  territorial  responsibility 
and  entering  into  a  cooperative  program.  The  Regional  Con- 
ference held  in  Havana  found  it  necessary  to  clear  away  much 
suspicion  concerning  cooperative  work.  This  was  accomplished 
in  a  most  encouraging  way,  however.  Among  the  interesting 
plans  was  that  for  a  thorough  survey  of  the  Island.  An  agent 
was  employed  to  make  this  survey,  and  spent  some  time  in  the 
latter  months  of  1916  on  the  Island  for  this  purpose.  When  his 
survey  was  completed,  there  was  called  a  meeting  of  the  secre- 
taries of  the  mission  boards  doing  work  in  Cuba,  together  with 
the  members  of  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Cuba  to  go 
over  the  survey,  and  outline  a  cooperative  plan  for  advance- 
ment along  all  lines. 

This  important  meeting  was  held  in  Havana,  February  6-9, 
191 7.  There  were  present  from  the  United  States,  Dr.  L.  C. 
Barnes,  Prof.  G.  N.  Brink  of  the  Northern  Baptist  Home  Board ; 
Dr.  John  Dixon  and  Mr.  J.  E.  McAfee  of  the  Northern  Pres- 
byterian Home  Board;  Dr.  Charles  T.  Tebbetts  of  the  Friends' 
Board ;  Col.  E.  W.  Halford  of  the  Laymen's  Missionary  Move- 
ment, and  S.  G.  Inman. 

Unfortunately,  this  splendid  plan  for  facing  up  to  the  whole 
situation  in  Cuba  and  planning  a  united  program  for  the  en- 
largement of  the  work  was  marred  by  the  unsatisfactory  work 
of  the  survey  agent.  The  Southern  Methodist  missionaries  with- 
drew from  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Cuba  because  they 
resented  some  of  the  statements  made  in  the  survey.  When  it 
was  pointed  out  to  them,  however,  that  the  survey  was  in  a 
tentative  form  and  had  been  kept  from  being  published  until  the 
Committee  had  gone  over  it,  they  said  that  the  principal  reason 

47 


for  their  withdrawing  was  that  they  were  not  in  favor  of  the 
program  of  cooperation  as  it  was  being  developed  in  Latin  Amer- 
ica. No  doubt  there  have  entered  into  the  matter  certain  ques- 
tions at  the  home  base.  We  can  only  hope  that  these  brethren 
will  soon  be  willing  to  return  to  the  Committee  and  take  their 
rightful  place  in  this  organized  effort  to  unify  and  advance  the 
cause  of  evangelical  Christianity  in  the  Island. 

To  carry  out  the  plans  that  were  outlined  in  this  meeting,  the 
Friends'  Board  was  requested  to  allocate  Rev.  Sylvester  Jones 
as  secretary  of  the  Committee  of  Conference  in  Cuba.  It  was 
my  joy  to  receive  a  cablegram  on  my  second  visit  to  Cuba,  say- 
ing" that  this  request  had  been  granted.  So  I  spent  the  time  at 
my  disposal  with  Mr.  Jones  in  outlining  his  work. 

The  depository  for  literature  in  Havana  which  was  planned 
has  already  been  opened,  with  Air.  Jones  in  charge.  He  is  also 
doing  a  splendid  work  in  visiting  among  the  churches,  promot- 
ing the  spirit  of  unity  and  pushing  the  plans  adopted  by  the 
Committee  on  Conference  in  Cuba,  a  resume  of  which  is  given 
below : 

Education 

The  consideration  of  Christian  education,  especially  that  part 
relating  to  the  training  of  the  ministry,  was  given  a  large  place 
in  the  discussions  of  the  Conference.  The  suggestion  made  for 
a  training  school  of  higher  grade  to  prepare  young  men  for  the 
ministry  included  three  distinct  propositions :  First,  the  possibil- 
ity of  establishing  one  such  school  in  connection  with  an  exist- 
ing school  of  high  grade ;  second,  the  advisability  of  having  two 
such  schools,  one  at  Cristo,  Oriente,  and  one  at  Candler  College, 
Havana ;  third,  the  establishment,  at  a  convenient  point,  of  a 
theological  faculty  composed  of  competent  professors  represent- 
ing the  different  denominations,  and  dedicated,  if  possible,  ex- 
clusively to  the  training  of  ministers. 

It  was  voted,  that  the  Educational  Committee  together  with 
the  Executive  Committee  be  instructed  to  consult  with  the  au- 
thorities of  educational  institutions  to  see  if  it  is  possible  to  as- 
sociate any  existing  institution  in  the  proposed  Theological 
Training  School. 

It  was  voted  that  the  Educational  Committee  be  asked  to  with- 
hold its  further  report  until  it  may  consider  in  conference  with 
the  Executive  Committee  the  practicability  of  holding  during  the 
coming  year,  a  general   conference   on  educational   ]iroblems  to 

48 


whic.h  may  be  invited  the  educational  leaders  of   all  the  evan- 
gelical bodies  and  of  their  supporting  Boards. 

Literature 

1.  For  the  Depository:  That  the  Executive  Secretary,  under 
the  direction  of  the  Executive  Committee,  be  asked  to  correspond 
with  the  International  Sunday  School  Association,  the  American 
Tract  Society,  and  the  American  Bible  Society,  with  a  view  to 
determining  how  much  financial  help  may  -be  expected  from 
them  ;  that  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Latin  America  be 
appealed  to  for  such  support  as  may  be  gained  under  its  auspices ; 
that  such  balance  as  may  be  necessary  to  complete  the  budget 
be  apportioned  on  an  equitable  basis  among  the  several  missions 
to  be  served  by  the  Depository  and  that  each  be  requested  to 
supply  through  its  Board,  or  otherwise,  its  proportion  of  this 
balance. 

2.  For  the  Union  Paper:  That  the  Executive  Committee  be 
encouraged  to  proceed  with  the  plan  for  the  Union  Paper  at 
such  time  as  its  financial  support  can  be  reasonably  assured  and 
that  the  Executive  Secretary  be  encouraged  to  correspond  with 
the  Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Latin  America  and  with  in- 
terested friends  in  the  attempt  to  secure  necessary  financial  as- 
sistance. 

Social  Work 

There  was  recognized  the  widespread  desire  among  the  mis- 
sions in  Cuba  for  advance  in  social  service  and  the  need  of  pro- 
tracted stud}^  of  the  complicated  problems  involved. 

The  following  w-as  approved  in  principle  and  the  Committee 
authorized  to  proceed  with  further  correspondence  and  study : 

T .  Appeal  to  the  supporting  Boards  concerned  to  make  the 
proper  provision  for  the  development  of  social  service  programs ; 
such  programs  are  in  mind  as  these  now  projected. 

2.  The  recognition  of  the  value  of  the  orphanage  now  con- 
ducted at  Cardenas  under  independent  but  distinctly  evangelical 
auspices,  unofficially  related  to  the  Presbyterian  L^.  S.  Mission, 
and  an  appeal  to  all  the  evangelical  forces  for  their  moral  sup- 
port of  this  enterprise  in  its  projected  industrial  home  for  de- 
pendent children. 

3.  The  advancement  of  the  play^rround  movement,  in  connection 
with  all  missions  desiring  to  cooperate,  it  being  understood  that 
members  of  the  Committee  have  made  special  studies  in  this  field 

49 


and  are  prepared  to  supply  information  and  advice  to  any  who 
may  apply  to  the  secretary  of  the  Committee. 

4.  The  establishment  of  settlement  work  in  connection  with 
missions  desiring  to  advance  into  this  field,  especially  in  cities. 

5.  Correspondence  with  the  several  missions  from  this  Com- 
mittee in  explanation  of  methods  of  conducting  savings  banks  in 
connection  with  Sunday  Schools,  as  approved  by  experience  where 
th  value  of  the  project  has  been  demonstrated. 

6.  The  establishment  of  reading  and  amusement  rooms  in  con- 
nection with  churches  and  schools. 

7.  The  organization  of  charitable  work  under  evangelical 
auspices  in  such  a  manner  as  to  inspire  with  the  evangelical 
motive  and  spirit  the  humanitarian  impulses  of  the  well-to-do 
people  of  the  several  communities,  and  so  as  to  insure  the  truest 
economy  in  such  benevolence. 

8.  The  utilization  of  volunteer  help,  both  Cuban  and  foreign, 
in  the  several  communities,  especially  among  women  and  in  wel- 
fare work  for  children,  it  being  understood  that  the  Committee 
can  supply  suggestions  of  methods  for  the  carrying  out  of  these 
plans. 

9.  That  the  several  denominations  be  urged  to  make  larger 
provision  in  the  programs  of  their  annual  an.d  other  stated  meet- 
ings for  inspirational  and  educational  features,  and  that  in  con- 
nection with  these  gatherings  ministers'  wives  and  women  mis- 
sion workers  be  assembled  for  institutes  and  conferences  on 
home  problems. 

10.  That  the  Executive  Committee  be  asked  to  consider  the 
importance  of  incorporating  in  the  plans  for  a  Training  School 
for  Ministers  an  industrial  program  which  shall  offer  opportuni- 
ties of  self-help  for  students. 

11.  That  the  Committee  on  Education  be  requested  to  include 
in  the  investigations  which  it  is  now  making  with  the  view  of 
adopting  a  program  of  education  for  the  Island,  the  question  of 
adequate  provision  for  industrial  training  under  evangelical  au- 
spices both  for  boys  and  girls,  and  that  the  Committee  be  asked 
to  confer  with  the  Committee  on  Social  Work  in  this  interest. 

12.  That  the  Committee  on  Social  Work  be  directed  to  col- 
laborate with  the  Executive  Secretary  and  the  central  depository 
in  the  securing  of  translations  and  the  distribution  of  social 
service  literature  for  the  use  of  all  workers  desiring  to  cooperate. 

13.  That  the  Committee  on  Social  Work  be  authorized  to  se- 
cure by  means  and  from  sources  approved  by  the  Executive 

50 


Committee,  such  limited  funds  as  may  be  required  for  corre- 
spondence and  to  cover  other  incidental  expenses  connected  with 
the  discharge  of  its  duties,  it  being  understood  that  such  expendi- 
tures shall  be  made  in  connection  with  the  office  of  the  Execu- 
tive Secretary,  this  officer  and  the  Secretary  of  the  Committee 
on  Social  Work  collaborating  as  they  may  determine  in  the  in- 
terest of  economy  and  efficiency. 

Evangelism 

Full  mention  was  made  of  the  needs  and  opportunities  along 
the  lines  of  the  work  of  this  Committee.  The  following  recom- 
mendations were  adopted : 

1.  That  an  evangelistic  team  be  organized  which  shall  consist 
of  three  or  more  workers  specially  and  severally  equipped  for 
preaching,  singing,  and  the  conduct  of  conferences  on  social 
work  ;  that  their  respective  Boards  be  asked  to  release  for  this 
service  under  the  direction  of  the  Committee  on  Evangelism 
R.  L.  Wharton  and  others  named,  for  such  evangelistic  cam- 
paigns as  may  be  arranged  among  the  missions  desiring  their 
services. 

2.  That  the  Executive  Committee  study  the  matter  of  secur- 
ing eminent  educationalists  and  other  Christian  leaders  to  de- 
liver apologetic  lectures  before  groups  not  now  reached  by  the 
Evangelical  Churches  in  Cuba,  and  that  the  committee,  of  which 
President  King,  of  Oberlin,  is  Chairman,  appointed  for  the  con- 
sideration of  this  same  matter  in  other  Latin-American  fields, 
be  consulted. 

Cuba  is  progressing  commercially  by  leaps  and  boimds.  Her 
relationships  to  the  United  States  are  very  close.  There  is  every 
reason  for  pressing  the  present  interest  in  an  enlarged  mission- 
ary program.  Personal  questions,  denominational  rivalries,  and 
narrow  interpretations  of  the  Gospel  have  no  right  to  longer  stand 
in  the  way  of  a  comprehensive  program  of  service  which  the 
people  are  so  ready  to  receive. 

One  encouraging  sign  is  that  after  a  secretarial  visit  to  the 
Island,  the  Disciples  of  Christ  Board  has  decided  to  lessen  the 
denominational  competition  by  turning  their  work  over  to  another 
church,  and  withdrawing  from  the  field.  This  is  the  first  definite 
move  for  an  international  readjustment  of  fields  that  has  been 
made  since  the  whole  question  was  agitated  by  the  Panama  Con- 
gress. There  are  further  plans  of  adjustment  now  being  consid- 
ered by  the  Northern  and  Southern  Presbyterian  Boards,  which, 

51 


if  consummated,  will  further  simplify  missionary  administration 
in  Cuba.  Three  strong  Boards  giving  large  attention  to  Cuba, 
and  the  other  five  transferring  their  work  to  some  of  the  near-by 
countries  that  have  no  Board's  help,  would  be  an  arrangement 
much  more  just  to  Latin  America. 

The  survey  of  the  Island  will  be  re-written  in  the  light  of 
further  facts  now  being  gathered.  This  will  still  further  aid  the 
making  of  a  new  program  which  Boards  will  no  doubt  wish  to 
immediately  inaugurate. 


52 


VI.    PANAMA 

Strangely  enough,  almost  the  only  part  of  Latin  America  not 
provided  with  a  Cooperation  Committee  was  Panama,  where  the 
Congress  on  Christian  Work  was  held.  I  found  the  workers  in 
that  polyglot  community  rather  unfamiliar  with  what  ythers  were 
doing,  but  anxious  for  closer  cooperation.  A  Committee  on 
Cooperation  was  organized  with  all  forces  represented.  Respond- 
ing to  the  unanimous  request  of  the  workers,  I  made,  with  the 
assistance  of  the  local  committee,  a  survey  of  the  Canal  Zone 
and  of  the  cities  of  Panama  and  Colon.  A  complete  report  of 
this  survey  is  on  file  in  the  office  of  the  Committee  on  Co-opera- 
tion in  Latin  America,  and  is  open  to  the  inspection  of  Board 
officers  and  other  interested  persons.  A  brief  resume  of  its 
main  findings  is  given  herewith : 

North  Americans 

Among  the  white  Xorth  Americans  residing  on  the  Zone  and 
employed  by  the  Panama  Canal  or  the  Panama  Railroad,  the  great 
moral  problem  is  that  of  providing  clean,  wholesome  amusement 
to  meet  the  competition  of  open  dens  of  vice  in  the  nearby  cities 
of  Panama  annd  Colon.  The  Zone  itself  is  free  from  undersir- 
able  resorts. 

It  is  felt  that  the  United  States  Government  could  easily  bring 
pressure  to  bear  that  would  be  effective  in  cleaning  up  the  re- 
sorts of  these  cities,  if  so  disposed. 

All  organized  recreation  in  the  Canal  Zone  is  in  the  hands  of 
the  Bureau  of  Clubs  and  Playgrounds,  which  is  an  agency  created 
for  the  purpose  by  the  Canal  Government,  and  whose  administra- 
tion is  in  the  hands  of  the  Y.  ]\L  C.  A.  Seven  club  houses  are 
operated  in  buildings  erected  by  the  Government  and  supported 
partly  by  the  Government,  and  partly  from  the  proceeds  of  mer- 
chandise and  privileges  sold  on  the  premises.  Their  program 
differs  in  many  respects  from  the  work  of  a  local  Association  in 
the  United  States,  with  a  greater  emphasis  upon  the  physical  and 
social  and  less  on  the  educational  and  religious.  It  can  readily 
be  seen  that  conscientious  secretaries  have  no  little  difficulty  in 
being  faithful  at  the  same  tirrie  to  Government  requirements  and 
spiritual  ideals.  Considerable  criticism  is  directed  toward  the 
work  of  the  clubhouses  by  local  religious  authorities,  chiefly  on 

53 


the  ground  that  some  of  their  Sunday  activities  interfere  with 
the  program  of  the  churches,  and  that  the  moving  pictures  dis- 
played in  the  clubhouses  are  not  always  such  as  can  be  approved 
by  the  churches. 

The  secretaries  recognize  the  legitimacy  of  much  of  this  criti- 
cism as  long  as  their  organizations  are  called  Young  Men's  Chris- 
tian Associations,  and  some  believe  that  while  they  are  under 
obligation  ^o  the  Government  to  provide  the  recreation  and  run 
the  refreshment  stores  for  all  the  Zone,  religious  and  irreligious 
alike,  they  should  not  bear  the  Association  name. 

Better  than  a  change  of  name,  however,  would  be  the  employ- 
ment of  special  secretaries  to  push  religious  and  educational  work, 
which  the  present  force,  under  pressure  of  commercial  business 
they  must  handle,  are  quite  unable  to  do. 

Besides  the  clubhouses,  the  following  agencies  have  work 
among  the  Americans :  The  Union  Churches,  Episcopal,  Roman 
Catholic,  Southern  Baptist,  Bible  Society,  Christian  Scientists. 
There  is  some  overlapping  at  Cristobal-Colon,  where  there  is  an 
Episcopal  Church  and  a  Union  one.  Some  also  at  Ancon- Balboa, 
where  there  are  Episcopal,  Southern  Baptist  and  Union  churches. 
On  the  whole,  however,  the  work  on  the  Zone  is  well-distributed, 
and  there  is  little  duplication  of  effort.  This  is  largely  due  to 
the  fact  that  the  Union  Church  includes  in  its  interdenominational 
organization  Congregationalists,  Disciples,  Dutch  and  German 
Reformed,  Lutherans,  Methodists,  Presbyterians,  many  Baptists, 
some  Episcopalians  and  others.  Its  organization  is  collegiate  in 
form.  One  Executive  Committee  supervises  the  work  of  all  four 
congregations,  while  local  committees  direct  minor  matters  in  each 
church.     Three  pastors  are  now  employed. 

There  is  no  need  of  any  new  organization  to  take  up  work  for 
the  Americans.  The  Union  Church  is  self-supporting.  It  will 
need  help  only  in  its  building  campaign  from  the  United  States, 
and  is  worthy  of  such  assistance. 

West  Indians 

This  group,  numbering  51,000  in  all,  are  negroes  from  Jamaica 
and  Barbados.  Most  of  them,  men,  are  employed  as  laborers 
and  mechanics  on  the  canal  and  railroad. 

They  are  herded  together  in  crowded  tenements  in  Panama  and 
Colon,  bad  housing  and  bad  morals  being  found  together,  as  in 
other  cities. 

The  marriage  relation  is  loosely  regarded,  and  while  there  is 

54 


very  little  prostitution  as  we  know  it,  there  is  a  well-recognized 
system  of  concubinage  for  support. 

To  influence  the  moral  life  of  the  young  people  the  Church 
and  not  the  home  must  be  accepted  as  the  best  agency  of  ap- 
proach. There  is  much  possible  along  institutional  lines  among 
these  people. 

Gambling  and  the  dens  of  vice  of  the  terminal  cities  are  the 
worst  enemies  of  the  negro. 

The  following  organizations  have  churches  among  the  West 
Indians:  Baptist  (Sou.  Convention),  Baptist  (National),  Baptist 
(Independent),  Wesleyan  Methodist,  Methodist  Episcopal,  Chris- 
tian Mission,  Seventh-Day  Adventist,  Salvation  xA.rmy,  Episcopal, 
Plymouth  Brethren,  Church  of  God,  United  Methodists.  There 
should  be  a  more  clearly  understood  division  of  responsibility 
among  the  various  organizations  among  the  West  Indians. 

Bjetween  the  W^esleyan  Methodist  and  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
forces,  an  awkward  situation  is  emerging.  The  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  has  recently  taken  up  work  among  the  West  In- 
dians in  Panama.  Speaking  as  a  representative  of  the  Wesleyan 
Methodists,  one  minister  thinks  this  regrettable.  He  suggests 
this  proSlem  as  a  matter  for  immediate  conference  between  the 
two  iDodies  of  Methodists. 

A  readjustment  of  the  work  of  the  Southern  Baptist  Home 
Board  and  that  of  the  National  Baptist  Convention  could  profit- 
ably be  made.  There  is  a  good  deal  of  feeling  between  the  work- 
ers of  the  two  bodies,  although  in  the  United  States  they  work 
satisfactorily  together.  All  Methodist  work  under  one  Board, 
and  all  Baptist  work  under  one  Board,  would  greatly  improve 
the  situation. 

The  Churches  should  unite  in  the  solution  of  the  educational 
problem  of  the  West  Indians.  The  best  of  the  present  numerous 
inefficient  private  schools  might  be  taken  over  by  the  Churches, 
and  others  organized  ;  all  of  which  could  be  directed  by  a  super- 
intendent appointed  by  them. 

Institutional  work  is  a  crying  need  in  Panama  City  and  Colon, 
where  housing  conditions  are  so  bad,  and  where  there  are  no 
libraries,  playgrounds,  recreation  centers  or  night  schools  for 
industrial  training. 

The  Panamanians 

By  the  Panamanians  is  meant  the  non-American  white  and 
mixed  residents  outside  the  Canal  Zone,  particularly  in  Panama 

55 


and  Colon.  These  are  the  people  who  direct  the  life  of  the  Re- 
public, and  determine  in  large  measure  its  moral  and  ethical 
standards.  Most  of  the  wealthy  class  are  white.  They  are  the 
leaders  and  hold  most  of  the  political  offices. 

The  Panamanians  are  completely  engulfed  by  the  horrible 
housing  conditions  with  their  lack  of  home  life,  and  by  the  open 
vice  that  surrounds  them  everywhere. 

Education  is  neglected,  there  being  but  four  public  schools  in 
the  city  of  Colon.  There  are  two  institutions  in  the  Republic 
above  the  grammar  grade,  the  National  Institute  and  the  Normal 
School  for  Girls.  The  National  Government  has  recently  passed 
a  resolution  providing  for  the  founding  of  a  Pan-American  Uni- 
versity based  on  the  National  Institute.  Each  government  in 
the  Pan-American  Union  is  to  be  invited  to  contribute. 

Amusement  and  vice  are  nearly  interchangeable  terms  in  Pan- 
ama. The  Roman  Catholic  Church  is  connected  commercially 
with  vice,  and  the  Protestant  Church  has  not  yet  developed  a 
voice  strong  enough  to  speak  against  it. 

The  lottery  is  under  Government  auspices,  and  its  profits  go 
to  help  the  bishop  and  the  educational  and  charitable  institutions 
of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church.  One  competent  authority  states 
that  eighty-five  per  cent,  of  the  store-rooms  in  the  downtown 
section  of  Panama  City  are'  occupied  by  places  that  sell  liquor. 
When  such  a  condition  is  found  in  a  place  where  lotteries  and 
prostitution  are  given  governmental  recognition,  the  moral  en- 
vironment may  be  easily  imagined. 

Panama  grants  religious  freedom,  but  recognizes  the  Roman 
Catholic  Church  to  the  extent  of  contributing  to  the  support  of 
its  seminary.  This  support  was  continued  until  recently,  when 
Congress  cut  it  off  on  the  ground  that  no  seminary  exists !  There 
are  seven  Roman  Catholic  churches  in  Panama  City,  (population 
65,000),  with  twenty-two  priests,  while  Colon  (population 
25,000)  has  four  churches  and  five  priests.  An  estimate  by  a 
man  who  should  know  places  the  number  of  priests  in  the  whole 
Republic  at  seventy-seven.  The  country  districts  are  almost  en- 
tirely neglected. 

The  Republic,  with  the  exception  of  its  foreign  elements,  is 
the  recognized  field  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Mission.  The 
Sea  Wall  Church  is  the  only  one  organized  thus  far.  The  first 
Spanish  worker  outside  of  Panama  City  is  soon  to  be  sent  to 
David,  an  interior  town  of  6,000  people.  This  work  will  be  sup- 
ported by  the  Union  Church,  but  under  the  direction  of  the  Meth- 
odist Mission. 

56 


The  Sea  Wall  Church  conducts  regular  evangelistic,  educa- 
tional and  institutional  work,  the  full  development  of  the  latter 
now  awaiting  the  completion  of  the  new  building  on  the  sea- 
shore in  the  rear  of  the  church,  which  will  cost  $30,000.  It  is 
three  stories  high,  with  gymnasium  and  entertainment  hall  in 
the  basement,  day  school  for  children  and  night  commercial  school 
on  the  street  floor,  and  the  top  floor  as  the  residence  of  the  super- 
intendent of  the  Mission.  This  modern  plant  and  social  service 
program  will  give  the  Sea  Wall  Church,  well-located  across  from 
the  National  Palace,  a  great  opportunity  to  enlarge  its  influence 
among  all  classes  in  the  city. 

It  is  hoped  that  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Board  will  be  able 
to  answer  the  call  of  this  Mission  so  that  several  other  churches 
can  be  opened  in  Panama  City,  in  Colon  (wdiere  property  is  al- 
ready owned),  and  in  many  needy  towns  in  the  interior.  It  would 
seem  advisable  for  this  Mission,  in  view  of  its  being  the  only 
one  engaged  in  Spanish  work,  to  concentrate  on  this  tremendous 
field  now  so  neglected,  and  turn  over  to  others  the  work  it  now 
has  among  the  West  Indians.  But  doing  this,  and  getting  other 
agencies  engaged  in  work  among  the  West  Indians  to  recognize 
the  Spanish  field  as  peculiarly  that  of  the  Methodists,  much  dupli- 
cation of  efifort  might  be  avoided  in  the  future. 

Besides  the  extension  of  the  work  of  the  Methodists,  two  other 
projects  seem  to  be  imperative  to  meet  the  needs  of  the  Pana- 
manians, to  clean  up  the  moral  life  of  the  Isthmus,  and  to  make 
its  wide-reaching  influence  Christian.  These  are,  ( i )  a  Young 
Men's  Christian  Association,  and  (2)  a  Union  Christian  College. 

Panamanians  and  Americans  are  unanimously  in  favor  of  hav- 
ing a  Y.  M.  C.  A.  in  Panama  City.  This  Association  w^ould  be 
for  Panamanians,  and  its  work  would  be  conducted  in  Spanish. 
Thus  it  would  bring  very  few  American  soldiers  to  the  building, 
but  it  would  greatly  raise  the  moral  level  of  the  community,  and 
finally  make  impossible  the  open  dens  of  vice  which  exist  not 
only  in  one  district  but  all  over  the  city  of  Panama. 

The  project  of  a  Union  Christian  College  in  Panama  was  first 
suggested  at  the  Panama  Congress,  but  nothing  has  been  done 
toward  making  it  an  accomplished  fact.  The  workers  on  the 
Isthmus  feel  that  it  would  do  a  great  deal  for  Panama,  and  that 
Government  aid  could  be  secured  for  the  site.  In  the  five  re- 
publics of  Central  xVmerica  and  in  Panama,  Colombia,  Venezuela 
and  Ecuador  there  exists  no  evangelical  institution  for  training 
Christian  workers,  and  only  three  schools  that  go  beyond  the 
fifth  grade.     The  school  in  Panama  therefore  should  be  made  a 

57 


training  center  for  Christian  workers,  as  well  as  having  high 
school  and  junior  college  courses  in  Spanish  for  those  who  may 
wish  to  pursue  advanced  work.  Also  an  agricultural  department 
could  be  established  through  cooperation  with  the  experimental 
stations  now  being  maintained  on  a  large  scale  by  the  govern- 
ment in  the  Zone.  Other  government  specialists  could  also  be 
secured  for  special  teaching. 

The  advancement  of  missionary  work  in  all  of  the  neglected 
countries  of  Latin  America,  the  influence  of  the  Canal  Zone 
itself  in  various  parts  of  the  world,  the  betterment  of  Christian 
life  among  Americans  here,  the  uplift  of  the  Republic  of  Pan- 
ama— all  point  to  this  as  a  strategic  move. 

United  States  Soldiers 

Panama  is  now  and  always  will  be  a  military  post  of  the  first 
importance.  It  is  imperative  therefore  that  measures  taken  for 
the  welfare  of  the  men  here  be  capable  of  producing  a  moral 
bulwark  that  will  be  permanent  and  lasting.  At  the  time  the 
survey  w.as  taken  there  were  8,000  soldiers  on  the  Isthmus,  and 
this  number  was  expected  to  increase  to  25,000  within  a  short 
time.  As  it  is  now  there  is  probably  no  place  on  earth  where 
everything  so  combines  to  throw  the  soldier  into  the  midst  of 
the  most  horrible  dens  of  vice. 

Economically  the  enlisted  men  form  the  lowermost  strata  of 
Zone  society.  Civilians  there  are  exceptionally  well  paid,  and 
only  the  commissioned  officer  is  able  to  maintain  an  economic 
(and  hence  a  social)  equality  with  them.  The  Army  officer  is 
socially  desirable  because  of  his  education  and  large  amount  of 
leisure.  Rut  he  does  not  associate  with  the  enlisted  man,  and 
this  has  a  strongly  deterrent  efifect  on  the  efforts  of  civilians, 
who  value  their  own  social  standing,  to  do  something  for  the 
coommon  soldier. 

The  Clubhouse  secretaries  believe  they  could  do  many  things 
for  the  men  if  they  were  allowed  to  take  charge  of  the  welfare 
work  in  the  camps  with  well-equipped  quarters,  and  could  have 
in  Balboa  and  Colon  large  clubhouses  where  several  hundred  sol- 
diers could  find  recreation  and  beds.  There  has  been  much  lost 
motion  between  the  local  Clubhouse  secretaries,  Army  Y.  M.  C.  A. 
men,  chaplains,  churches  and  others  interested  in  the  prob- 
lem, which  might  be  remedied  by  the  appointment  of  an  authori- 
tative commission  to  propose  a  comprehensive  program  after  a 
thorough  study  of  the  subject. 

58 


Getting  the  cold  shoulder  on  the  Zone,  the  soldier  goes  to  Pan- 
ama or  Colon,  where  entertainment  is  especially  devised  for  him 
and  he  is  made  welcome.  Here  he  finds  the  saloon,  the  brothel, 
the  opium  den  and  all  other  hideous  forms  of  vice  spread  openly 
at  every  turn.  He  becomes  enmeshed  in  the  net  of  vice  spread 
for  him,  and  the  result  is  utter  moral  disaster. 

Several  Army  officers  called  to  my  attention  the  fact  that  a  con- 
siderable part  of  their  commands  were  young  boys — just  within 
the  Army  age  limit — whose  educational  progress  has  stopped. 
These  officers  strongly  recommend  the  establishment,  under  Y. 
M.  C.  A.  or  other  auspices,  of  classes  in  which  ambitious  boys 
may  add  to  their  educational  equipment.  This  would  encourage 
the  men  to  utilize  their  spare  time  in  beneficial  ways,  and  would 
make  them  better  citizens  upon  their  discharge  from  the  Army. 

Baseball  and  other  sports  are  indulged  in  to  some  extent,  but 
the  various  sports  are  not  well  organized,  so  there  is  no  general 
competition  between  the  diiTerent  posts. 

A  Chaplain  is  provided  by  the  Government  at  each  post  of  suffi- 
cient size  to  warrant  it.  They  have  direction  of  all  social,  recre- 
ative and  religious  life  among  the  men.  They  are  furnished  with 
suitable  quarters  for  their  work,  including  usually  a  moving-pic- 
ture outfit.  Very  few  of  the  men  attend  Church  services  regu- 
larly, although  services  are  held  at  most  of  the  posts. 

American  Churches  on  the  Zone  could  do  much  for  the  soldiers 
by  giving  them  special  invitations  to  attend  socials  and  other 
activities  of  the  church,  and  in  organizing  clubs  among  enlisted 
men  for  various  purposes. 

All  those  who  have  made  a  study  of  the  situation  united  in 
recommending  the  extension  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  influence  into 
the  Army  posts  themselves,  and  into  Panama  City  and  Colon, 
where  the  men  go  for  recreation. 

Summing  up,  the  survey  indicated  especially  the  following 
needs :  A  larger  idealism  in  the  clubhouse  programs ;  an  encour- 
agement of  the  Union  Church  work  by  prividing  new  buildings  ; 
the  better  adjustment  of  fields  and  a  more  comprehensive  program 
for  the  West  Indians ;  the  extension  of  evangelical  work  among 
Panamanians  ;  the  establishment  of  an  International  Union  Chris- 
tian College ;  the  opening  of  a  city  Young  Men's  Christian  Asso- 
ciation in  Panama  :  the  moral  cleaning  up  of  Panama  and  Colon, 
with  adequate  provision  for  encouraging  the  moral  and  spiritual 
development  of  the  United  States  soldiers  on  the  Zone. 


59 


VII.    PERU 

My  visit  to  Peru  lasted  from  May  6,  when  I  landed  at  Paita 
for  a  few  hours,  to  May  27,  when  I  left  Puno  for  Bolivia.  I 
spent  one  week  in  the  capital,  Lima,  and  five  days  in  the  city  of 
Cuzco.  The  other  time  was  given  to  the  smaller  towns  and  to 
Arequipa. 

,  Paita,  the  most  northern  city  of  Peru,  is  destined  to  be  a  place 
of  great  commercial  importance  when  a  railroad  is  built  from 
the  sea  to  the  headwaters  of  the  Amazon.  This  would  give  Peru 
a  direct  route  to  the  Atlantic  and  Europe^  which,  considering  her 
pending  difficulties  with  Chile  and  Ecuador,  would  be  of  enor- 
mous importance  for  military  strategy.  The  railroad  would  also 
make  a  route  from  Lima  to  Iquitos,  the  eastern  Peruvian  city, 
without  going,  as  is  now  necessary,  via  Panama  to  New  York, 
thence  shipping  to  Para,  in  Brazil,  and  then  three  thousand  miles 
up  the  Amazon  to  Iquitos. 

At  Paita  I  found  that  the  agent  of  one  of  the  big  companies 
was  a  former  pupil  of  the  "Instituto  Ingles"  of  Santiago.  Al- 
though there  is  no  evangelical  work  at  Paita,  this  young  man 
is  doing  much  for  the  moral  life  of  the  community.  He  is  only 
one  of  the  many  illustrations  found  all  along  the  West  Coast,  of 
the  wide  influence  of  the  Institute. 

The  Senator  from  Paita,  Coronel  Zegarra,  was  on  board  with 
us  coming  from  the  U.  S.  A.,  where  he  had  been  to  interest  capi- 
tal in  the  building  of  this  railroad.  His  father  was  Minister  for 
Peru  to  the  U.  S.,  so  the  young  son  took  the  civil  engineering 
course  in  Troy  School  of  Technology.  He  then  returned  to  his 
own  country  and  worked  under  Meggs,  building  the  railroad 
from  Lima  to  Oruro,  afterward  working  on  the  road  fom  Guay- 
aquil to  Quito,  and  finally  going  to  Panama,  where  he  served 
under  De  Lesseps  several  years.  As  a  boy  he  stood  by  the  side 
of  President  Lincoln,  when  he  saw  the  defeated  troops  of  the 
North  returning  from  the  battle  of  Bull  Run.  He  is  an  illustra- 
tion of  the  type  of  liberal  men  one  finds  in  Peru.  Unfortunately, 
these  men  are  in  such  a  minority  that  they  are  able  to  do  very 
little. 

I  traveled  along  eight  hundred  miles  of  the  Northern  Coast  of 
Peru  without  passing  any  evangelical  worker.  This  is  one  of  the 
greatest  stretches  of  territory  to  be  found  facing  any  sea  where 

60 


there  is  not  one  single  representative  of  an  evangelical  missionary 
society.  In  all  Peru  there  are  only  twenty-nine  foreign  workers 
and  eight  Peruvian  ministers.  Of  the  foreign  workers,  six  men 
are  ordained  ministers,  three  are  professors,  five  are  young  lady 
teachers,  four  are  nurses,  and  ten  are  wives  of  missionaries.  No 
repetition  of  these  figures  would  convey  to  one  the  awful  paucity 
of  workers  in  Peru ;  he  must  travel  over  thousands  of  miles  of 
territory  before  it  is  burned  into  his  heart. 

I  had  the  opportunity  of  a  personal  visit  with  all  of  the  foreign 
workers  except  four,  who  were  up  in  the  mountains.  I  also  vis- 
ited all  of  the  churches  and  missionary  schools  in  Peru  with  the 
exception  of  the  two  centers  in  Huanuco,  where  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Smith  of  the  South  American  Evangelical  Union  are  at  work,  and 
in  Huancayo,  where  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Snell  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal  Mission  conduct  a  school.  In  Lima  I  had  one  general  meet- 
ing for  all  of  the  Christian  workers  and  church  members  ;  another 
meeting  with  the  national  workers  only,  at  which  we  discussed 
their  relations  with  the  foreign  workers  and  the  problems  in- 
volved in  developing  the  national  Church.  Another  meeting  was 
held  with  only  the  foreign  workers  present,  and  two  meetings  of 
the  "Committee  on  Missionary  Cooperation  in  Peru."  In  addition 
to  these  engagements,  I  preached  in  Spanish  to  every  evangelical 
congregation  in  Lima  and  Callao.  In  fact,  I  believe  there  are  only 
two  organized  churches  in  Peru  that  I  did  not  have  the  privilege 
of  addressing. 

Outside  of  missionary  circles  I  interviewed  the  President  of  the 
Repubhc,  the  Minister  of  Education,  several  professors  in  the 
universities  at  Lima  and  Cuzco.  editors  of  the  daily  papers,  a 
number  of  business  men,  the  American  Minister,  and  various 
other  professional  men.  I  found  in  Lima  a  very  peculiar  sit- 
uation. 

The  Catholic  Church  is  awakening  to  the  fact  tliat  it  must  carry 
on  a  much  more  active  campaign.  The  law  that  was  passed  last 
year  giving  other  religions  outside  of  the  Catholic  Church  the 
right  to  hold  meetings  in  Peru  has  awakened  the  Romanists  to 
the  fact  that  a  great  deal  of  their  influence  is  slipping  away  from 
them.  The  Panama  Congress,  and  especially  the  Regional  Con- 
ference at  Lima,  with  the  great  representative  deputation  of  evan- 
gelical leaders  present,  has  had  a  profound  influence.  They  are 
therefore  exerting  every  means  to  hold  the  people  to  the  Catholic 
Church.  Many  new  methods  are  being  tried.  On  the  other  hand, 
there  is  a  group  of  liberal  men  in  Lima  who  realize  the  necessity 

61 


for  breaking  away  from  the  old  conservative  life  and  for  intro- 
ducing new^  ideas.  These  men  seem  to  be  in  contact  vvith  modern 
ideas  in  education,  economics,  social  service,  and  government. 
They  have  done  something  to  forward  these  ideas,  but  when  their 
efforts  are  checkmated  by  the  Church  authorities,  they  lack  the 
stamina  to  stem  the  opposition  and  push  forward  to  victory  for 
reform. 

Educational  conditions  in  Peru  are  far  from  satisfactory.  Sev- 
eral years  ago,  as  the  result  of  an  address  given  by  Dr.  L.  F.  Vil- 
leran,  four  professors  from  the  United  States  were  brought  to 
Peru  to  introduce  modern  educational  methods.  They  found  it  so 
difficult  to  make  any  headway,  however,  that  two  of  them  left  al- 
most immediately.  A  third,  Professor  McKnight,  became  the  Di- 
rector of  the  Normal  School  for  Men  in  Lima.  He  did  a  magnifi- 
cent work,  and  one  finds  his  pupils,  who  almost  worship  him,  scat- 
tered in  different  parts  of  Peru.  The  Church  became  dissatisfied 
with  Professor  McKnight's  administration,  however,  and  forced 
him  out.  The  progressive  men  of  the  country  say  that  Professor 
McKnight's  retirement  was  one  of  the  greatest  blows  to  education 
that  Peru  has  ever  received.  It  only  illustrates  the  difficulty  with 
which  any  reforms  are  carried  forward  in  that  country. 

The  national  annual  budget  for  education  is  a  little  over 
$1,000,000.  With  a  school  population  of  900,000,  there  are  147,- 
000  pupils  enrolled,  with  an  average  attendance  of  96,000.  There 
have  matriculated  in  all  the  Government  schools  above  the  fifth 
grade  some  3,600  pupils,  1,700  of  whom  are  in  the  four  imiversity 
centers  at  Lima,  Trujillo,  Arequipa  and  Cuzco.  There  are  2,160 
in  private  schools,  making  an  entire  enrolment  of  pupils  in  schools 
above  the  fifth  grade  of  6,790.  Altogether  there  are  2,276  Gov- 
ernment schools,  with  3,246  teachers,  only  325  of  whom  have  had 
normal  training ;  this  in  a  country  wath  a  population  of  from  four 
to  five  million  people. 

In  Porto  Rico,  with  a  million  population,  there  are  nearly  two 
hundred  thousand  children  in  the  public  schools.  In  all  Peru 
there  are  only  three  public  schools  for  girls  with  classes  beyond 
the  fifth  grade.  These  three  normal  schools  are  all  under  the 
direction  of  nuns,  and  it  is  practically  impossible  for  Protestant 
girls  to  be  admitted  into  any  of  them.  What  an  appeal  for  the 
enlargement  of  the  Lima  High  School  of  the  Methodist  Mission, 
the  only  Protestant  Girls'  School  in  Peru,  into  a  great  center  for 
the  training  of  teachers  and  of  other  Christian  leaders  among  the 
women ! 

62 


One  of  the  live  topics  of  educational  circles  in  Peru  at  the 
present  time  is  the  effort  to  develop  a  Catholic  university  in  Lima. 
The  school  has  just  been  opened.  It  is  supported  by  the  Govern- 
ment, but  is  meeting  with  great  opposition.  A  bitter  controversy 
is  now  on  in  the  press  between  its  defenders  and  those  interested 
in  the  Government  university  of  San  Marcos,  and  in  the  further 
development  of  liberty  of  conscience  and  academic  freedom. 

A  resume  of  the  liberals'  arguments  is  significant  of  the  think- 
ing in  this  country,  so  long  under  the  absolute  domination  of  the 
Church : 

1.  They  claim  that  the  new  university  is  illegal,  according  to 
the  laws  governing  public  instruction.  It  plans  to  provide  only 
one  faculty,  that  of  letters,  whereas  the  law  requires  that  every 
university  in  the  country  should  have  at  least  two  faculties,  which 
must  function  simultaneously.  No  guarantees  are  made  of  the 
qualifications  of  the  teaching  staff,  who,  in  fact,  are  woefully  lack- 
ing, whereas  the  law  requires  that  university  professors  should 
be  doctors  of  the  faculties  in  which  they  teach. 

2.  It  is  contrary  to  the  present  tendency  to  suppress  the  three 
provincial  universities  and  centralize  higher  education  in  the  Uni- 
versity of  San  Marcos. 

3.  It  would  tend  to  increase  the  number  of  lawyers  in  the 
country,  of  which  class  there  is  already  a  plethora  ;  and  these 
superfluous  lawyers  would  all  tend  to  be  strong  adherents  of  the 
policy  of  the  Church. 

4.  The  new  university  would  inevitably  arouse  and  foment 
religious  bitterness.  The  title  "Catholic,"  which  the  new  uni- 
versity had  adopted, '  lacks  all  meaning,  since  the  University  of 
San  Marcos  was  as  thoroughly  "catholic"  as  any  state  institution 
could  be.  The  priests'  place  was  in  the  pulpit  and  not  in  a  chair 
of  secular  learning. 

They  plead  its  scientific  impossibility,  since  no  religious  organ- 
ization can  constitute  a  university,  the  very  soul  of  which  must 
be  free  investigation,  and  since  a  "Catholic"  university  can  never 
enjoy  intellectual  autonomy,  but  must  of  necessity  fit  all  its  in- 
struction into  the  limits  of  a  prescribed  mould  and  exploit  it  in 
the  interests  of  an  ecclesiastical  theory. 

Leaders  of  liberal  thought,  like  the  editor  of  El  Comercio,  con- 
sider the  issue  a  test  of  the  direction  education  in  Peru  will  take. 
If  the  Church  insists  on  pushing  it,  the  liberal  element,  who  have 
so  far  not  broken  directly  with  the  Church,  will  find  themselves 
compelled  to  do  so. 

63 


In  view  of  such  a  situation,  it  is  not  difficult  to  see  the  tremen- 
dous need  of  the  immediate  development  of  evangelical  schools 
in  Peru.    Missionary  Societies  sustain  the  following  at  present : 

The  Callao  High  School,  opened  some  twenty  years  ago  by  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  The  classes  are  practically  all  in 
English  except  those  of  the  primary  school,  which  are  held  in  a 
separate  building  several  blocks  away.  This  High  School  gives 
a  special  emphasis  to  commercial  courses.  Its  graduates  are  found 
in  the  principal  business  houses  of  Lima  and  Callao.  The  school 
has  not  been  able  to  contribute  to  the  development  of  the  national 
Church  as  much  as  might  be  hoped.  Its  building  is  old,  and  it  is 
hoped  that  plans  for  a  new  one,  either  in  Callao  or  Lima,  may  be 
consummated  soon. 

The  Lima  High  School  is  conducted  by  the  Woman's  Board  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  under  the  direction  of  Miss  Love- 
joy,  assisted  by  two  other  American  teachers.  This  school  has 
been  in  existence  for  some  time,  but  has  recently  had  a  most  mar- 
velous growth  under  the  new  director,  who  has  rented  new  quar- 
ters and  reorganized  the  school  along  progressive  lines.  The 
children  of  the  ^Minister  of  Education  and  of  other  members  of  the 
Cabinet,  as  well  as  many  other  prominent  families  of  Lima,  are 
found  in  the  school.  The  attendance  could  easily  be  doubled  if 
there  w^ere  room.  It  is  devoutly  hoped  that  the  Women's  Board 
will  be  able  to  arrange  for  a  permanent  property  which  will  ade- 
quately house  this  school  and  enable  it  to  embrace  the  unlimited 
opportunities  for  development.  In  the  present  rented  quarters 
there  is  only  room  for  eight  boarders,  when  there  could  easily  be 
one  hundred. 

Miss  Lovejoy  has  recently  passed  the  examinations  in  the  Uni- 
versity of  San  Marcos,  which  gives  her  school  government  stand- 
ing. The  spirit  of  the  school  is  most  excellent,  both  spiritually 
and  educationally.  As  the  only  evangelical  girls'  school  in  a 
republic  where  there  are  altogether  but  three  state  schools  beyond 
the  fifth  grade,  for  girls,  it  deserves  the  strongest  possible  backing. 

The  South  American  Evangelical  Union  has  conducted  a  prim- 
ary school  in  another  part  of  the  city,  but  has  recently  turned  this 
over  to  the  Rev.  and  Mrs.  John  MacKay,  who  arrived  some  six 
months  ago  to  represent  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  MacKay  are  the  first  missionaries  this  Church  has  sent  to 
Peru,  but  it  expects  to  enlarge  its  corps  of  workers  and  take  a 
good  share  of  the  responsibility  for  the  evangelization  of  the 
country. 

64 


Mr.  MacKay  is  an  illustration  of  what  good  preparation  means. 
He  was  an  honor  student  in  Aberdeen  College ;  afterward  took 
two  years  of  theological  work  in  his  own  Church's  seminary  in 
Scotland,  which  were  followed  by  two  years  in  Princeton  Uni- 
versity ;  then  he  made  a  trip  through  South  America,  concluding 
with  a  year's  residence  in  the  University  of  Madrid.  In  Madrid 
he  came  in  contact  with  the  leading  minds  of  Spain,  and  learned 
to  know  intimately  the  spirit  of  the  young  Spanish  students.  He 
has  just  been  given  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Laws  without  ex- 
amination by  San  Marcos,  the  oldest  university  in  America. 

Besides  these  three  schools  in  Lima  and  Callao,  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Board  conducts  a  school  up  in  the  mountains  at  Huan- 
cayo,  and  a  small  orphanage  is  conducted  by  the  South  American 
Evangelical  Union  on  their  farm  near  Cuzco. 

In  this  connection  should  be  mentioned  the  night  classes  for 
Christian  workers  which  are  conducted  in  Lima  three  times  a 
week,  the  missionaries  of  the  different  Societies  conducting  them. 
The  South  American  Evangelical  Lhiion  has  planned  for  some 
time  to  develop  a  Bible  School  at  Cuzco,  where  special  attention 
will  be  given  to  the  training  of  ministers  who  will  work  amongst 
the  Indians  and  the  agricultural  peoples  of  the  sierra.  It  has  been 
suggested  that  this  institution  train  workers  for  Bolivia  also,  and 
the  faculty  become  a  kind  of  board  of  strategy  for  Indian  work  in 
general. 

The  immediate  educational  needs  of  Peru  are  the  purchasing 
of  property  and  of  the  proper  equipment  for  the  Girls'  High 
School  in  Lima,  which  should  call  for  the  investment  of  some 
$100,000;  the  better  equipment  of  the  High  School  in  Callao;  a 
building  for  the  Boys'  School  which  will  grow  out  of  the  present 
primary  school  conducted  by  Mr.  MacKay.  The  Methodists  might 
well  join  their  forces  with  the  Free  Church  in  the  development 
of  a  college  for  young  men  in  Lima.  There  might  be  some  con- 
nection made  between  this  college  and  the  proposed  theological 
seminary,  which  is  one  of  the  greatest  needs  for  evangelical  work 
in  Peru.  The  ministers  that  are  occupying  the  pulpits  at  the 
present  time  have  had  no  opportunity  whatever  for  training,  ex- 
cept in  off-hours  with  missionaries  and  through  studying  by  them- 
selves. The  results  of  such  haphazard  training  can  be  seen  in  the 
churches  themselves.  It  is  foolish  to  think  of  evangelizing  a  coun- 
try like  Peru  without  making  adequate  plans  for  the  education  of 
the  ministers. 

65 


Cooperation  in  Peru 

Nowhere  may  be  found  more  strikinj^  evidences  of  the  results  of 
the  Panama  Congress  and  of  the  cooperation  movement  than  in 
Peru.  When  I  was  here  three  years  ago  I  found  that  the  South 
American  EvangeHcal  Union  and  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Mis- 
sion workers  lacked  a  great  deal  of  being  in  harmony.  While 
some  of  this  feeling  still  remains,  the  result  of  the  two  meetings 
of  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  while  I  was  there  are  most  prom- 
ising. The  following  resolution  concerning  division  of  territory 
was  passed : 

"(1)  This  Committee  expresses  itself  in  favor  of  territorial  re- 
sponsibility in  the  field. 

"(2)  As  a  general  plan,  the  Committee  recommends  that  the  Board 
of  Foreign  Missions  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  be  held  re- 
sponsible for  the  region  of  the  Central  Railway  of  Peru;  the  Evangel- 
ical Union  of  South  America  for  the  region  of  the  Southern  Railway; 
and  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland  for  the  region  centering  on  Trujillo 
and   Cajamarca. 

"(3)  The  Committee  recommends  that  the»capital  of  the  Republic 
be  regarded  as  common  ground  for  all  Societies  working  in  Peru." 

These  general  lines  of  division  will  be  sufficiently  definite  for 
the  present.  If  another  missionary  Society  comes  in  to  help 
occupy  Peru  within  the  next  few  years,  there  will  be  plenty  of 
territory  for  it  to  take.  It  would  probably  be  better  for  these 
three  Societies  to  occupy  the  whole  territory,  however,  if  each 
of  them  could  enlarge  its  forces  sufficiently.  The  Free  Church 
expects  to  send  out  several  new  workers  as  soon  as  definite  plans 
for  their  use  have  been  made.  The  South  American  Evangelical 
Union  has  recently  reorganized  its  Board  in  England.  The  work- 
ers on  the  field  hope  that  it  will  do  more  than  it  has  in  the  past, 
though  they  realize  that  the  war  is  going  to  make  it  very  difficult 
for  the  Union  to  send  reinforcements  soon.  The  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  has  a  most  important  field  in  the  center  of  the  Re- 
public, and  should  treble  its  forces  in  Peru  within  the  next  three 
years. 

Besides  this  agreement  on  the  division  of  territory,  the  Com- 
mittee decided  to  have  a  union  periodical,  the  others  coming  in 
to  help  support  El  Cristimio,  which  is  now  published  by  the 
South  American  Evangelical  Union.  This  paper  is  already  one 
of  the  best  in  Latin  America,  carrying  various  departments  on 
hygiene,  agriculture,  and  world  news,  as  well  as  defending  the 
rights  of  evangelical   Christianity,  and  containing  literature  of 

66 


evangelistic  fervor.  The  paper  is  now  only  a  monthly ;  it  should 
be  made  at  least  semi-monthly.  The  Committee  also  decided  to 
make  every  effort  to  develop  the  union  theological  seminary  at 
the  earliest  possible  moment. 

After  these  decisions,  Air.  Ritchie,  Chairman  of  the  Peruvian 
Committee  on  Cooperation,  accompanied  me  to  Arequipa,  Cuzco 
and  Bolivia.  In  conference  with  Bishop  Oldham  and  the  mission- 
aries of  the  Methodist  and  Canadian  Baptist  Churches,  it  was 
agreed  that-  Bolivia  would  unite  with  Peru,  both  in  the  proposed 
union  paper  and  with  reference  to  the  theological  seminary.  This 
is  a  most  encouraging  fact.  Such  a  combination  assures  a  strong 
paper  and  a  good  school  for  the  preparation  of  ministers,  which, 
otherwise,  on  account  of  the  very  meagre  forces  in  these  two 
countries,  might  be  difficult  if  not  impossible. 

To  reach  Arequipa  from  Lima,  one  needs  to  take  the  boat  for 
two  days  to  Mollendo,  and  the  train  from  there  for  about  five 
hours'  ride  more.  Arequipa  has  the  reputation  of  being  the  most 
fanatical  city  in  Peru,  but  a  great  change  has  taken  place  in  the 
last  few  years.  Missionaries  are  not  now  troubled  by  fanaticism 
so  much  as  by  indifference.  The  Evangelical  Union  has  had  its 
work  in  Arequipa  for  about  fifteen  years,  and  yet  its  church  has 
only  a  membership  of  about  twenty.  Mr.  Foster  has  been  en- 
deavoring of  late  to  do  some  social  work,  having  opened  a  read- 
ing room,  and  a  room  for  games  for  young  men.  In  such  a  staid, 
conservative  community  years  of  experience  are  showing  that  a 
simple  preaching  service  will  not  get  a  hold  of  the  people.  Out 
of  the  eight  baptisms  Mr.  Foster  had  last  year,  six  were  from 
this  young  men's  club.  One  of  these  young  men  went  to  work 
in  a  mine  near  by.  He  was  such  a  splendid  workman  that  the 
manager  asked  him  from  where  he  came.  He  told  him  about  the 
little  club  Mr.  Foster  had  formed,  and  said  that  was  where  he 
had  learned  habits  of  industry.  The  manager  sent  the  young  fel- 
low back  to  get  twenty  other  members  of  the  club,  practically 
wiping  out  the  organization  in  Arequipa.  They  all  went  out  to 
work  at  this  mine,  where  the  manager  arranged  a  reading 
room  and  a  clubhouse  for  them.  He  told  Mr.  Foster  later  that 
he  would  take  all  the  men  that  he  could  send  him.  A  work  like 
this,  instead  of  closing,  should  be  multiplied  all  over  Peru. 

The  trip  from  Arequipa  to  Juliaca  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful 
in  the  world,  having  in  view  from  seven  in  the  morning  until 
about  three  in  the  afternoon  the  lofty  snow-capped  peaks  of 
Misti,  Pichu  Pichu  and  Chachani,  all  of  which  are  of  over  20,000 

67 


feet  elevation.  In  Juliaca  we  slept  in  the  cold,  rarified  air  13,000 
feet  above  the  sea.  The  next  day  we  traveled  for  twelve  hours 
through  the  beautiful  valley  of  Vilcamote  toward  Cuzco,  and 
made  our  first  acquaintance  with  the  sturdy  Quichua  Indians,  all 
that  remain  of  the  wonderful  Inca  empire  the  Spaniards  de- 
stroyed. Some  twenty  years  ago  the  first  missionaries,  two  Eng- 
lishmen, went  to  Cuzco.  They  were  not  allowed  to  stay,  however. 
On  their  second  visit  they  established  themselves  in  business  and 
gradually  won  the  confidence  of  the  community,  after  which  they 
dropped  their  business  and  have  been  giving  all  their  time  to  mis- 
sionai"y  work.  Fanaticism  has  largely  died  out  now,  and  Cuzco 
is  becoming  a  liberal  center.  The  work  of  the  Evangelical  Union 
has  been  against  great  odds,  and  the  church  has  at  present  only 
half  a  dozen  members.  There  have  been  two  nurses  located  in 
Cuzco  for  some  time.  They  have  done  a  splendid  work,  all  the 
way  from  taking  care  of  maternity  cases  to  pulling  the  teeth  of 
the  priests.  This  nursing  work  is  done  by  the  Evangelical  Union 
in  all  of  its  centers.  The  nurses  do  a  great  deal  of  good  and 
break  down  prejudice,  but  there  is  a  need  of  bringing  their  influ- 
ence more  directly  to  bear  on  the  development  of  the  Church 
itself. 

Cuzco,  the  ancient  capital  of  the  Incas,  certainly  impresses  one 
as  being  an  ancient  city.  The  fine  mission  property  of  the  Evan- 
gelical Union  and  the  new  .electric  light  plant  seem  to  be  about 
the  only  modern  buildings  in  the  whole  community.  The  Uni- 
versity and  other  schools  are  housed  in  old  monasteries.  The 
most  disreputable  municipal  offices  that  I  have  ever  seen  in  any 
part  of  the  world  are  found  in  Cuzco.  The  streets  are  paved 
with  tremendous  cobblestones,  and  the  open  sewers  in  the  center 
of  each  street  give  out  the  foulest  of  odors.  China  itself  cannot 
equal  Cuzco  for  its  smells.  One  is  simply  astounded  to  find  a 
city  in  America  so  backward  in  everything  that  we  consider  neces- 
sary in  modern  life.  There  is  a  crying  need  for  some  kind  of 
institutional  work  that  will  bring  people  together  to  face  prob- 
lems of  sanitation,  hygiene,  city  beautifying,  and  moral  uplift  of 
the  community.  Certainly  evangelical  Christianity  has  a  message 
to  a  community  of  this  kind.  This  message  can  hardly  be  deliv- 
ered through  preaching  services  held  in  a  little,  barren  hall  on 
the  second  floor  of  an  insignificant  building.  I  know  of  no  greater 
opportunity  anywhere  than  to  open  a  social  center  in  this  needy 
city  and  to  call  the  young  men  from  th^  University  and  other  pro- 
gressive centers  to  enter  into  service  for  their  community. 

68 


I  I  had  a  conference  with  the  University  students  and  suggested 
!to  them  this  kind  of  work,  which  seemed  to  dehght  them.  Mr. 
Millham,  of  the  EvangeHcal  Union,  was  present  at  this  confer- 
ence, and  I  trust  the  mission  will  be  able  to  work  out  something 
long  these  lines.  Professor  Geisecke,  President  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Cuzco,  would  no  doubt  be  willing  to  help.  He  is  the 
last  one  left  of  the  four  Americans  who  were  engaged  to  improve 
Peru's  educational  system  several  years  ago.  He  is  a  wideawake 
young  man  from  the  University  of  Pennsylvania.  He  has  mar- 
ried a  Peruvian  lady  and  thoroughly  identified  himself  with  the 
ommunity. 

In  Cuzco  one  is  at  the  center  of  the  Indian  population  of  Peru. 
Riding  on  horseback  through  a  most  wonderful  valley  to  visit  the' 
L'rco  Farm,  conducted  by  the  Evangelical  Union,  we  had  oppor- 
tunity of  seeing  the  Quichuas  in  their  old  haunts,  w^here  they 
lave  lived  for  many  centuries.  Here  one  finds  the  ruins  of  great 
lemples  and  fortresses  and  wonderful  terraces  running  up  the 
nountainsides  a  thousand  or  so  feet,  the  latter  still  under  cultiva- 
ion.  which  were  probably  built  by  pre-Inca  peoples  of  whom  we 
lave  no  knowledge. 

How  have  the  mighty  fallen !  In  the  old  Inca  days  the  In- 
lians'  salutation  as  they  passed  one  another  on  the  road  was  a 
eference  to  their  two  fundamental  laws.  The  first  traveler  would 
ay :  "Thou  shalt  not  steal,  thou  slialt  not  lie."  The  other  would 
eply :  "Nor  shalt  thou  do  either  of  these."  The  modern  saluta- 
ion  is,  "Ave  Maria  piirissima,"  and  the  reply  is,  "Sin  pecado 
:oncehida"  ("conceived  wnthout  sin").  Above  the  door  of  the 
I^atholic  Church  on  the  main  plaza  of  Cuzco  next  to  the  Uni- 
versity are  these  words  in  bold  letters : 

"Come  unto  Mary,  all  ye  that  labor  and  are  heavy  laden, 
And  she  will  give  you  Rest." 
Any  one  who  wishes  to  understand  how  the  Indians  are  ex- 
)loited  by  government  officials  and  priests  should  read  "Aves  Sin 
^'idos"  ("Birds  without  Nests"),  a  novel  by  Madam  Clorinda 
Vlatto,  a  native  of  this  district.  The  plot  is  developed  around  a 
)rilliant  young  lawyer,  supposed  son  of  the  Governor,  and  a 
^oung  Indian  girl,  who  is  being  reared  by  a  philanthropic  Span- 
sh  family.  When  they  fall  in  love  with  one  another  and  are 
bout  to  be  married,  it  is  revealed  to  them  that  they  are  both  chil- 
Iren  of  the  same  priest.  "We  w^ere  born  Indians,  slaves  of  the 
)riest,  slaves  of  the  Governor,  slaves  of  the  Chief,  slaves  of  all 
vho  have  a  club  to  drive  us.     Indians !    Yes.     Death  is  our  beau- 

69 


tiful  hope_  of  liberty."     So  exclaims  one  of  the  characters,  and 
the  story  is  not  overdrawn. 

The  Mission  farm  at  Urco  is  doing  a  great  work,  both  for  the 
spiritual  and  material  interests  of  the  Indians.  Mr.  Payne,  the 
director,  is  exactly  suited  to  his  task.  He  has  had  both  practical 
experience  in  farming,  and  is  a  graduate  of  an  agricultural  school. 
He  recently  brought  down  wheat  from  Canada,  which  is  bearing 
nearly  ten  times  more  to  the  acre  than  the  native  wheat,  which 
was  being  eaten  up  by  the  rust.  The  night  that  I  was  on  the 
farm  the  head  of  the  Agricultural  Department  of  the  Government 
was  there  looking  into  Mr.  Payne's  work,  and  wanting  to  buy  all 
the  wheat  that  he  had,  so  that  the  Government  could  distribute 
it  as  seed  among  the  farmers.  Mr.  Payne  was  recently  asked  by 
the  neighborhood  to  go  to  Lima  and  interview  the  President  of 
the  Republic  concerning  the  building  of  a  good  wagon  road 
through  the  valley.  His  mission  was  successful  and  the  President 
had  just  wired  him  that  Congress  had  passed  the  bill  setting  aside 
funds  for  this  road. 

They  have  an  orphanage  on  the  farm  which  cares  for  about 
twenty  children.  Mr.  Payne,  although  he  has  not  had  any  medi- 
cal training,  is  doing  a  magnificent  work  for  the  sick.  There  are 
no  physicians  for  miles  around,  and  he  has  to  do  everything,  even 
to  the  most  delicate  surgical  operations.  The  sick  are  brought 
to  his  little  dispensary  from  the  Indian  settlements  all  over  this 
part  of  the  country. 

SOME  PROBLEMS 

A  More  Permanent  Missionary  Staff.  The  Evangelical  Union 
has  sent  out  during  the  last  twenty  years  about  fifty  workers  to 
Peru,  most  of  whom  have  returned  home  for  various  reasons. 
One  of  the  difficulties  in  these  mountainous  countries  is  the  alti- 
tude. It  is  very  necessary  to  consider  the  physical  condition  of 
missionaries  who  are  sent  to  the  mountain  regions  where  people 
are  compelled  to  live  at  an  altitude  of  from  ten  to  fifteen  thousand 
feet.  The  matter  of  furlough  and  of  rest  periods  on  the  coast 
should  be  very  carefully  considered  for  missionaries  working  in 
these  altitudes.  The  only  Methodist  missionary  in  Peru  who  has 
returned  for  his  second  term  of  service  is  Mr.  Archerd.  The  rest 
of  the  stafif  have  only  been  in  Peru  from  two  to  three  years.  Mr. 
Ritchie,  of  the  Evangelical  Union,  is  just  completing  his  tenth 
year,  and  is  the  senior  missionary  in  all  Peru.  The  advancement 
of  the  work  greatly  depends  on  the  permanency  of  the  missionary 
forces. 

70 


Development  of  National  Leadership.  The  Evangelical  Union 
has  only  one  ordained  Peruvian  minister.  The  Methodists  have 
four  Peruvian  ministers  after  all  these  years  of  evangelistic  and 
school  work.  There  has  been  no  way  of  training  ministers,  and 
even  the  ministers  who  are  now  ordained  recognize  that  they  are 
limited  at  every  turn  because  of  their  lack  of  preparation.  It  is 
impossible  for  them  to  get  an  entre  into  the  better  circles.  Their 
work  is  necessarily  confined  to  the  lower  classes.  Not  only  must 
a  way  be  found  for  training  national  leaders,  but  also  for  putting 
larger  responsibility  upon  the  native  church.  The  missionaries  do 
most  of  the  work  a  'd  practically  all  of  the  planning.  The  present 
church  of  the  Evangelical  Union  in  Lima  is  just  now  beginning 
I  to  pay  the  incidental  expenses  of  light,  etc.,  without  touching  the 
matter  of  salary  for  the  pastor.  The  Methodist  Church  at  Callao 
is  doing  better  than  any  of  the  others  in  self-support.  In  the 
meeting  that  I  held  especially  for  the  Peruvian  workers,  they  re- 
quested a  representation  on  the  Committee  on  Cooperation,  which 
had  not  yet  been  granted  to  them,  saying  that  if  this  Committee 
was  to  work  out  the  problem  of  development  of  the  national 
Church,  certainly  the  members  of  their  Church  should  have  some- 
thing to  say  about  it. 

Salaries  of  Native  Ministers.  The  cost  of  living  in  Peru,  as 
in  other  countries,  is  continually  rising.  It  is  impossible  for  the 
native  ministers  to  buy  books  and  in  other  ways  to  advance  them- 
selves with  their  present  salaries.  The  missionary  Boards  will 
have  to  face  this  question  in  Peru,  as  well  as  in  other  Latin- 
American  fields.  Some  way  must  be  worked  out  by  which  the 
churches  may  share  this  responsibility  with  the  Boards,  and  also 
by  which  the  ministers  shall  be  trained  in  the  principles  of  thrift. 

NEEDS 

I  sum  up  a  few  of  the  most  prominent  ones : 

1.  An  adequate  building  for  the  Girls'  High  School  in  Lima. 

This  school  has  turned  away  fifty  pupils  in  the  last  three  months 
for  lack  of  room.  Its  opportunities  are  limitless  with  proper 
equipment. 

2.  Church  buildings  in  Lima.  Now  that  the  constitutional 
limitations  have  been  removed,  the  Methodist  Episcopal  and  the 
Evangelical  Union  churches  should  have  buildings  in  the  capital 
at  once.  It  will  be  a  great  day  when  the  first  representative  Evan- 
gelical church  building  is  erected  in  Peru.  I  should  think  that 
these  buildings  in  Lima  should  include  rooms  for  social  work.    In 

71 


the  part  of  the  city  .where  the  Methodists  have  their  work  they 
should  have  one  hundred  thousand  dollars  for  a  representative 
building  that  would  speak  for  all  Protestantism. 

3.  Arequipa.  The  enlargement  of  the  Institutional  work  re- 
cently begun,  either  in  adequate  rented  quarters,  or,  better  still, 
in  a  building  specially  erected  for  school  and  institutional  work, 
is  a  great  need. 

4.  Cuzco.     There  should  be  the  immediate  erection  of  th^ 
hospital  for  which  the  Evangelical  Union  already  has  some  offe^ 
of  funds.     The  beginning  of  a  community  service  and  a  better 
place  for  the  evangelistic  meetings  are  also  needed. 

5.  The  Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Lima.  According  tq 
the  agreement  with  the  Bolivian  workers,  they  will  also  unite  ill 
this  institution.  The  present  night  school  may  serve  as  a  basis] 
But  at  least  the  Methodists,  who  have  the  largest  work,  shouk 
soon  send  a  man  specially  for  this  work,  and  the  other  missions 
should  either  do  this  or  arrange  to  release  a  missionary  now  on 
the  field  for  a  good  share  of  this  time. 

6.  The  Union  Paper.  I  understand  that  plans  for  this  are 
practically  ready  to  be  put  into  operation.  This  will  contribute 
much  to  the  whole  evangelical  cause. 

7.  An  Enlargement  of  Forces  by  all  three  Societies.  This  is 
imperative.  Now  that  territorial  responsibilities  have  been  fixed, 
it  is  easy  for  each  Board  to  calculate  the  number  of  new  workers 
needed  to  approach  a  proper  occupation  of  its  field.  Every  reasor 
for  mission  work  in  any  part  of  the  world  can  be  urged  as  a  cal 
to  needy  Peru. 


72 


VIII.    BOLIVIA 

Bolivia  is  a  mighty  land  of  514,000  square  miles  ;  its  estimated 
ensus  of  191 5  was  2,800,000.  A  more  recent  correct  estimate 
would  probably  be  two  millions.  At  least  fifty  per  cent,  of  the 
population  are  pure  Indians.  The  whites  number  231,000.  La 
Paz,  the  capital  of  the  Republic,  has  about  80,000  people.  There 
are  three  missionary  Boards  doing  work  in  Bolivia,  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal,  the  Canadian  Baptist  and  the  Bolivian  Indian 
Mission. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  work  is  the  largest  and  centers  in 
La  Paz  and  Cochabamba.  The  Canadian  Baptists  have  evangeli- 
al  missionaries  in  those  two  centers  and  in  Oruro.  The  Bolivian 
Indian  Mission,  an  independent  organization,  having  its  headquar- 
ters in  New  Zealand,  does  work  exclusively  among  the  Indians, 
with  headquarters  at  San  Pedro.  The  only  educational  work  is 
under  the  direction  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Board  in  La  Paz 
and  Cochabamba,  in  both  of  which  cities  there  is  an  "American 
Institute,"  organized  under  Government  patronage  several  years 
ago.  These  schools  have  developed  very  rapidly,  and  are  favor- 
bly  known  all  over  Bolivia. 

The  American  Institute  is  organized  after  the  model  of  boys' 
boarding  schools  in  the  United  States.  All  the  features  which 
make  such  school  life  pleasant  and  of  profit  to  the  boys  have  been 
introduced  in  the  institute,  such  as  literary  societies,  school  publi- 
cations, athletic  associations,  the  Boy  Scout  Movement,  reading 
clubs,  etc.  The  efifort  of  the  faculty  is  to  make  this  a  genuine 
American  school,  a  worthy  representative  of  American  educa- 
tional standards.  The  institute  receives  boys  from  all  social 
classes  :  merchants  of  small  means,  wealthy  miners  and  ranchers, 
mechanics,  men  of  official  circles  in  the  Government,  tradesmen, 
members  of  the  President's  Cabinet,  military  men  of  all  ranks, 
ex-Presidents  and  many  Congressmen  send  their  sons  to  be  edu- 
cated there.  There  are  100  boarding  pupils,  who  come  from  even 
the  remotest  parts  of  Bolivia  and  the  adjoining  republics,  some 
of  them  traveling  for  over  a  month  by  mule,  boat,  stage  and  train 
to  reach  the  school. 

When,  with  the  approval  and  support  of  the  Bolivian  Congress, 
a  second  school  was  opened  in  Cochabamba,  the  third  city  in  size 
in  the  country,  provision  was  made  for  150  pupils,  but  when  the 

7i 


school  opened  its  doors  it  had  an  enroUment  of  over  250.  Re- 
quests have  come  from  five  or  six  other  Bolivian  cities  urging 
that  American  schools  be  established  there. 

Up  to  three  years  ago  the  Government  gave  these  schools  a 
subsidy  of  about  $12,000  gold  annually,  which  supported  them  in 
a  splendid  way.  Recently,  however,  this  subsidy  has  been  cut 
ofif  by  the  Government  because  of  the  financial  crisis  following 
the  outbreak  of  the  European  war,  and  it  is  now  owing  three 
years  of  this  subsidy  to  the  schools.  This  failure  has  brought  the 
life  of  these  splendid  institutions  to  a  crisis,  and  they  will  have 
to  close  their  doors  if  the  Methodist  Board  does  not  come  to  their 
rescue.  It  will  no  doubt  do  this,  and  thus  confer  a  real  blessing 
on  the  schools,  since  they  will  be  able  to  present  evangelical 
Christianity  freely,  a  measure  not  now  permitted  by  the  Gov- 
ernment. 

On  arrival  at  La  Paz  I  met  Bishop  W.  F.  Oldham  and  Dr. 
W.  E.  Browning,  our  newly  elected  Educational  Secretary  for  the 
Committee  on  Cooperation.  Dr.  Browning  was  aiding  Bishop* 
Oldham  in  a  thorough  investigation  of  conditions  in  La  Paz.  One 
of  the  great  needs  is  property.  The  school  now  has  to  occupy 
three  separate  properties,  which  require  a  total  annual  rent  of 
$4,000.  This  big  outlay  has  made  it  impossible  to  attend  to  many 
other  needs,  which,  in  certain  departments,  are  most  glaring. 
Bishop  Oldham  had  just  invited  the  Canadian  Baptist  Mission  to 
cooperate  with  his  Church  in  the  future  development  of  the 
school.  They  have  already  helped  some  in  the  teaching,  and  the 
relations  of  the  two  Missions  are  delightfully  harmonious.  Mr. 
Baker,  of  the  Baptist  Mission,  is  now  in  Canada  submitting  the 
question  to  his  Board.  His  report,  of  some  twenty  pages,  gives 
an  admirable  history  of  the  institution,  and  a  statement  of  its 
present  needs  and  opportunities.  It  is  hoped  that  the  Baptist 
Board  will  cooperate,  and  that  the  school  in  La  Paz,  as  well  as 
the  one  in  Cochabamba,  will  continue  with  strength.  With  a 
more  positive  religious  influence,  these  schools  would  contribute 
to  the  development  of  a  strong  native  ministry,  Avhicli  is  a  crying 
need.  The  school  has  suffered  in  the  past  on  account  of  frequent 
changes  of  teachers,  which  has  meant,  among  other  things,  that 
the  faculty  have  not  been  able  to  penetrate  into  Bolivian  life.  The 
majority  of  the  instruction  is  given  in  Spanish,  although  English 
is  widely  used.  The  dormitory  facilities  for  the  young  men  are 
really  pitiable. 

New  property  is  an  imperative  necessity.     Standards   for  the 


faculty  should  be  maintained  at  a  high  degree,  and  only  those 
with  educational  training  should  be  sent  as  teachers,  if  the  school 
is  to  compete  with  the  magnificent  new  Government  schools  and 
with  the  splendidly  equipped  Jesuit  schools.  The  Director  of 
Government  Education  told  me  that  the  real  reason  for  withdraw- 
ing the  subsidy  was  that  a  faculty  representing  the  best  of  North 
American  education  was  not  maintained,  and  that  an  adequate 
equipment  was  not  provided. 

\\'e  had  a  meeting  of  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  of  Bolivia 
in  La  Paz,  Saturday,  May  26,  at  which  were  present  Bishop  Old- 
ham, Dr.  W.  E.  Browning,  and  Rev.  John  Ritchie  of  Peru,  be- 
sides the  representatives  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  and  Canadian 
Baptist  Mission  in  Bolivia.  The  interests  of  the  work  in  general 
were  discussed.  Here,  as  elsewhere,  the  great  need  is  for  an 
educated  ministry.  At  present  the  Methodists  have  only  four 
Bolivian  preachers  and  the  Baptists  one.  None  of  these  has  had 
theological  training.  The  two  missions  in  Bolivia  are  very  weak, 
and  cannot  expect  to  establish  a  training  school  for  their  minis- 
ters for  some  time  to  come.  The  advantages  of  cooperation  with 
Peru  in  this  matter  were  discussed,  and  seemed  to  be  very  great. 
Peru  and  Bolivia  have  more  or  less  the  same  class  of  inhabitants, 
with  an  especially  large  percentage  of  pure  Indians.  They  are 
closely  connected  by  railroads.  There  is  a  friendly  national  feel- 
ing between  the  two  countries.  A  resolution  was  passed  agreeing 
to  unite  with  Peru  in  a  Union  Seminary  in  Lima.  Bishop  Old- 
ham and  Dr.  Browning  were  asked  to  discuss  this  matter  with 
the  missionaries  in  Lima  on  their  coming  visit  there. 

The  same  reasons  pointed  to  the  advisability  of  uniting  with 
Peru  in  a  union  periodical.  It  was  agreed  that  all  the  missions 
should  unite  in  the  production  of  El  Cristiano,  at  present  pub- 
lished by  the  South  American  Evangelical  Union  in  Lima.  Mr. 
Ritchie,  the  editor,  being  present,  practically  all  the  details  were 
decided  upon. 

It  would  be  difficult  to  overestimate  the  importance  of  these 
two  actions.  The  small  missionary  force  in  Bolivia  and  Peru 
could  hardly  expect  to  develop  these  two  movements  in  an  effi- 
cient way,  but  together  they  will  be  able  to  build  two  strong  insti- 
tutions. Later,  when  this  matter  was  presented  to  the  Committee 
on  Cooperation  in  Peru,  they  took  the  following  action : 

I.  In  view  of  the  urgent  need  of  preparing  a  gospel  ministry  which 
shall  be  adequately  equipped  for  work  among  the  educated  classes  as 
well  as  among  the  more  humble  social  strata  of  the  national  life,  we  do 


hereby   earnestly   recommend   the   estal)lisliing   in   Lima   of   a   union   theo- 
logical  seminary. 

2.  Inasmuch  as  the  Republics  of  Peru  and  Bolivia  have  many  interests 
in  common,  and  have  no  international  problems  that  would  make  union 
Christian  work  dii^cult,  we  do  hereby  express  our  desire,  and  do  recom- 
mend, that  the  missions  now  at  work  in  Bolivia  be  invited  to  cooperate 
with  the  missions  in  Peru  in  making  this  union  seminafy  the  center  of 
advanced  theological  instruction   for  both  Republics. 

3.  It  is  understood'that  the  establishing  of  this  seminary  in  Lima  shall 
not  in  any  way  hinder  the  establishing  in  Cuzco  of  a  Regional  Bible  School 
for  the  instruction  of  the  workers  of  the  Evangelical  Union  of  South 
America,  and  their  preparation  for  the  school  needs  of  that  region.  We 
would  even  recommend  that  in  this  Bible  School  in  Cuzco,  special  atten- 
tion be  given  to  the  preparation  of  men  for  work  among  the  Indians  of 
the  two  Republics,  and  that  the  interested  missions  unite  in  this  effort. 

4.  It  is  also  understood  that  this  seminary  in  Lima  shall  be  a  feeder 
for  the  more  advanced  instruction  offered  in  the  Union  Theological  Sem- 
inary to  be  erected  in  Montevideo. 

A  very  delightful  part  of  this  visit  to  La  Paz  was  the  dinner 
on  Saturday  evening  in  the  American  Institute,  at  which  were 
present  all  the  Christian  workers  in  La  Paz  and  the  four  guests 
from  abroad.  There  was  inspiration  in  the  thought  that  we  could 
meet  up  here  on  the  roof  of  the  world,  coming  from  so  many 
places,  and  plan  for  the  extension  of  the  Kingdom  in  the  needy 
land  of  Bolivia.  God  grant  that  it  may  lead  to  increased  service 
in  this  cold,  black,  sad  country ! 

At  a  second  meeting  of  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  we  dis- 
cussed the  question  as  to  what  kind  of  a  religion  the  Latin 
Americans  would  be  willing  to  accept.  One  of  the  missionaries 
that  had  been  longest  on  the  field  said  that  we  might  as  well  try 
to  convert  these  people  to  Mohammedanism  as  to  Protestantism 
as  we  were  now  presenting  it.  Our  forms  and  manner  of  pre- 
senting the  gospel  were  so  foreign  to  the  Latin  temperament  that 
he  did  not  believe  that  we  would  ever  be  successful  in  reaching 
large  numbers  until  we  lost  our  Anglo-Saxon  mannerisms  and 
thought  and  felt  with  the  Latins. 

Another  reported  that  one  of  the  leading  Bolivian  citizens  re- 
cently gave  an  address  at  the  American  Institute  in  which  he 
brought  out  the  point  that  if  the  Bolivian  is  to  be  converted,  it 
would  be  through  a  program  of  service.  Those  present  generally 
agreed  that  the  Evangelical  Church  must  depend  less  on  the 
pulpit  and  more  on  service  to  the  community.  We  should  not 
at  present  expect  to  force  our  form  of  organization  on  the  Latins, 
but  the  great  question  is  what  form  of  organization  the  Church 
will  take  in  these  countries.     The  North  American  missionary 

76 


must  lead,  and,  at  the  same  time,  put  the  burden  of  responsibiUty 
upon  the  Latin.  This  difficulty  makes  it  of  the  greatest  impor- 
tance that  the  best  prepared  missionaries  be  sent  to  Latin 
America. 

The  evangelical  churches  seem  hardly  to  have  touched  the  life 
of  La  Paz,  so  far.  The  combined  congregations  on  Sunday  right 
did  not  reach  loo  people.  The  .  Canadian  Baptists,  after  long 
years  of  work,  have  only  twelve  members  in  the  city.  Altogether 
in  Bolivia  there  are  about  lOO  members  of  the  evangelical 
churches.  Most  of  the  missionaries  are  new.  Few  have  had  any 
special  preparation  before  coming  to  their  field.  Their  Spanish 
is  not  such  as  to  draw  educated  people  to  the  services.  One  is 
impressed  with  the  lack  of  organization  and  of  defim'te  plans, 
both  in  evangelistic  and  educational  work.  The  field  is  so  under- 
manned that  the  splendid  men  who  are  there  find  it  impossible 
to  do  their  work  properly  or  to  get  time  for  any  larger  program. 
It  is  heartrending  to  think  that  a  whole  nation  is  dependent  upon 
this  limited  force  of  workers. 

The  Methodists  have  two  missionaries  and  three  Bolivians  en- 
gaged in  evangelistic  work,  with  churches  at  four  points  having 
50  members  in  all.  The  Baptists  have  three  missionaries  and 
one  Bolivian  pastor  doing  evangelistic  work  in  three  centers, 
with  less  than  50  members  altogether.  Only  one  Bolivian  has 
sufficient  preparation  for  ordination.  No  means  are  provided  for 
preparing  men  for  the  ministry.  No  property  is  owned  by  the 
missions.  Neither  mission  is  working  among  the  Indians.  It  ivas 
a  real  shock  to  find  that  there  was  a  country  on  the  globe  zvhere 
so  little  Christian  zvork  is  being  done. 

Bolivia  is  now  developing  rapidly  her  state  educational  meth- 
ods, at  least  in  three  or  four  centers.  Several  years  ago.  when 
she  recognized  the  need  of  this,  she  did  her  best  to  get  a  Protes- 
tant Missionary  Society  to  lead  in  the  new  program.  But  we  were 
not  ready.  So  she  has  recently  invited  a  number  of  Belgian 
teachers  to  organize  and  direct  her  school  system.  They  are  now 
doing  the  work  that  Protestant  missionary  educators  would  be 
doing  if  we  had  been  ready,  and  they  are  doing  it  well,  educa- 
tionally, but  their  influence  is  against  the  gospel.  I  know  of  no 
finer  normal  school  in  all  South  American  than  the  one  recently 
opened  in  La  Paz.  The  director  of  this  normal  school,  Sr. 
Rouma,  one  of  the  best  educators  in  South  America,  took  me 
all  over  the  normal  school  and  explained  his  plans  to  develop 
primary  and  secondary  education   in   the  Republic.     There   are 

77 


now  only  55,000  pupils  in  the  Government  schools  in  Bolivia, 
with  an  annual  budget  of  $1,000,000  for  a  population  of  over 
2,000,000.  It  will  be  many  years  before  the  present  educational 
activities  will  be  felt  outside  of  a  few  cities. 

One  of  the  greatest  needs  for  La  Paz  is  a  Christian  hospital. 
The  Government  several  years  ago  started  to  build  a  good  hos- 
pital, but  never  completed  it.  If  a  Christian  organization  were 
willing  to  take  it  in  hand,  they  would  no  doubt  turn  it  over  to 
them.  In  fact,  the  liberal  Government  is  progressive  and  willing 
to  be  led  in  different  ways  to  improve  conditions.  I  had  some 
helpful  interviews  with  Government  officials  and  with  the  son  of 
the  President  (the  President  being  out  of  the  city),  and  received 
many  expressions  of  desire  to  cooperate  with  us  in  philanthropic 
work.  There  is  a  splendid  opening  for  a  Young  Men's  Christian 
Association  in  La  Paz. 

The  following  extracts  from  official  utterances  are  interesting 
as  showing  the  temper  of  the  present  Government.  It  seems  a 
far  cry  from  the  time,  fifteen  years  ago,  when  Mr.  Paine  was 
nearly  killed  by  a  mob  for  preaching  in  Cochabamba. 

From  the  President's  message,  August  6,  1916: 

'Tn  its  actual  organization,  very  few  results  are  promised  from 
the  seminaries  in  Sucre,  La  Paz  and  Santa  Cruz ;  it  seems  neces- 
sary to  help  these  establishments  as  a  convenient  method  of  im- 
proving the  national  clergy,  the  deficiency  of  which  is  not  only 
•  noted  in  the  provinces,  but  also  in  the  principal  cities  of  the  Re- 
public. Touching  this  point,  it  is  necessary  to  call  the  attention 
of  the  public  authorities  to  the  tendency  of  foreign  priests  who 
reside  in  the  country,  each  day  augmenting,  to  direct  the  political 
movement  of  the  parties  and  to  take  a  prejudiced  attitude  in  the 
elections,  even  using  the  sacred  pulpit  to  carry  on  their  propa- 
ganda. The  Government  understands  that  if  the  clergy  wishes 
to  conserve  its  merited  social  prestige  and  if  it  wishes  to  fulfill 
its  novel  evangelical  mission,  it  should  not  mix  in  politics,  be- 
cause the  real  pastor  cares  for  his  sheep  with  equal  solicitude 
and  without  distinguishing  colors  ;  it  might  be  well  for  the  cleri- 
cal authorities  to  show  the  clergy  that  in  place  of  multiplying 
the  political  divisions  and  fomenting  social  prejudices,  their  activ- 
ities would  be  more  meritorious  if  they  endeavored  to  conserve 
for  their  religion  the  Indians  of  the  country,  who,  for  some  time 
past,  have  become  the  object  of  solicitude  on  the  part  of  ministers 
of  other  communities." 

From  the  Annual  Report  of  the  Minister  of  Instruction,  1914: 

78 


"On  account  of  the  great  growth  of  liberal  ideas  in  these  last 
days,  the  ecclesiastical  studies  have  lost  much  of  their  prestige, 
so  that  in  the  Seminary  of  La  Paz  since  1910  only  three  students 
have  concluded  its  courses — that  is  to  say,  have  been  ordained 
priests.  In  the  present  year  of  1913,  there  are  only  nine  pupils — 
three  who  have  come  in  from  the  fourth  year  secondary,  three 
from  the  philosophical  courses,  and  three  in  theology." 

The  Bolivian  Indians  were  included  formerly  in  the  Inca  Em- 
pire. This  Empire  extended  from  Quito  on  the  north  through 
Peru  and  Bolivia  to  Santiago  del  Estero  on  the  south — a  distance 
of  more  than  three  thousand  miles.  The  Aymaras,  much  less 
numerous  than  the  Quichuas,  inhabited  the  region  around  Lake 
Titicaca.  They  lead  a  similar  life  to  the  Quichuas,  and  formed 
part  of  the  great  Inca  Empire.  Sir  Clements  R.  Markham,  who 
gave  a  lifetime  to  the  study  of  these  peoples,  is  the  accepted 
authority  concerning  them.  He  estimates  that  in  the  three  Re- 
publics fifty-seven  per  cent,  of  the  inhabitants  are  Quichua  In- 
dians, counting  Ecuador  with  1,500,000,  Peru  with  4,000,000, 
and  Bolivia  with  2,000,000.  This  would  give,  in  round  numbers, 
more  than  3,500,000  Quichuas."^ 

The  Seventh-Day  Adventists  have  the  only  organized  educa- 
tional work  for  these  Indians,  located  some  twelve  miles  from 
Puno,  Peru.  There  are  now  about  500  Indian  children  being 
educated  there.  The  work  was  begun  by  an  Indian  named  Co- 
manzio,  who,  when  he  learned  to  read  and  write,  said,  "This 
ought  to  be  good  for  others  as  well  as  for  me,"  and  began  a 
school  for  his  compatriots.  The  Adventists  afterward  took  it 
over  and  developed  it  into  the  present  splendid  work.  Their  peo- 
ple have  gone  out  into  the  surrounding  country  and  opened 
schools  which  are  doing  much  for  the  elevation  of  the  people. 

Evangelical  work  among  them  consists  largely  of  independent 
efforts.  There  have  been  some  notable  journeys  by  missionaries 
through  Bolivia ;  one  made  by  Mr.  Milne  and  Mr.  Penzotti, 
agents  of  the  American  Bible  Society ;  another  by  Mr.  Will  Paine, 
a  brethren  missionary  who  has  reported  his  journeys  in  a  book 
called  "Pioneering  in  Bolivia."'  Mr.  J.  H.  Wenburg,  as  agent 
of  the  American  Bible  Society,  has  traveled  extensively  among 
the  Indians  of  the  lowlands  of  the  east.  At  the  present  time  Mr. 
John  Linden,  an  independent  missionary,  who  has  been  working 

^The  Incas  of  Peru,  Sir  Clements  Markham  ;  Smith  Elder  &  Co.,  Lon- 
don. 

'Pioneering  in  BoHvia,  Will  Payne  and  Chas.  T.  W.  Wilson,,  Echoes  of 
Service,  London. 

79 


in   San  Pedro  de  Jujuy,  is   among  the  Indians  fourteen   days' 
journey  from  La  Paz. 

The  BoHvian  Indian  Mission  has  five  couples  at  the  present 
time  on  the  field.  Mr.  George  Allen,  head  of  the  mission,  is  at 
present  in  the  United  States  soliciting  funds.  The  missionaries 
live  on  a  pitiably  small  financial  margin.  They  seldom  return 
to  the  field  after  they  once  leave.  I  was  told  that  at  times  they 
have  to  get  along  on  three  to  five  dollars  a  week.  Their  work 
is  very  greatly  limited  in  this  way.  They  cannot  be  assured  of 
permanent  workers  nor  look  forward  to  a  well-directed  educa- 
tional program,  probably  the  Indians'  greatest  need. 

Another  most  interesting  work  is  the  Guatajata  Farm,  at  Hua- 
rina,  Bolivia,  on  Lake  Titicaca.  This  was  founded  by  an  Italian, 
Antonio  Chirioto.  He  lived  in  the  LTnited  States  for  a  number 
of  years,  becoming  a  naturalized  citizen.  Afterward  he  went  to 
Argentina  and  engaged  in  the  flour-milling  business,  likewise 
conducting  a  mission  there.  He  sold  this  business,  and,  hearing 
of  the  needs  of  Bolivia,  went  to  that  land.  He  soon  died,  leaving 
his  fortune  of  $32,000  gold  for  the  formation  of  the  Peniel  Mis- 
sion, which  should  conduct  an  agricultural  and  school  work  for 
the  Indians.  This  fund  was  placed  in  the  hands  of  three  trustees, 
business  men  and  missionaries  of  Bolivia,  and  the  work  started 
out  with  great  promise.  Minister  Calderon,  representing  Bolivia 
in  the  United  States,  gave  $500  to  the  work ;  the  State  voted 
$2,000  per  annum ;  the  President  of  the  Republic  asked  Mr.  Wen- 
burg  to  direct  the  work,  and  called  at  the  missionaries'  resi- 
dence to  discuss  it.  Newspapers  published  many  sympathetic 
accounts  of  the  work,  one  of  which  is  a  letter  from  Minister 
Calderon,  in  which  he  says,  among  other  things,  "The  sum  left 
by  this  good  man  is  not  very  great,  but  the  object  to  which  it 
is  given  could  not  be  more  worthy  of  help.  If  a  foreigner,  with- 
out any  interest  in  Bolivia,  and  moved  exclusively  by  noble  senti- 
ments toward  the  Indians,  has  left  a  fortune  to  be  employed  in 
favor  of  these,  would  it  be  possible  that  we,  the  Bolivians,  shall 
not  do  something  to  contribute  to  the  success  of  such  an  impor- 
tant work  ?  The  national  progress,  happily  helped  along  by  peace, 
the  importance  of  railroads,  and  the  growth  of  our  riches,  make 
us  more  than  ever  desirous  to  raise  the  miserable  condition  of 
our  people,  composed  in  the  larger  part  of  these  unfortunate 
Indians,  victims  of  unmentionable  abuses  and  oppression.  No 
people  can  possess  the  benefit  of  liberty  and  general  happiness  if 
each  one  of  its  inhabitants  does  not  enjoy  the  same  privileges 


which  will  make  them  become  intelligent  citizens,  capable  of  tak- 
ing their  part  in  the  common  material  and  moral  progress.  It  is 
no  exaggeration  to  say  that  the  present  condition  of  the  Bolivian 
Indian  is  a  national  disgrace  and  a  terrible  indictment  of  the  good 
name  of  the  Republic.  It  is,  therefore,  a  sacred  duty  on  the  part 
of  every  good  Bolivian  to  look  for  the  means  of  doing  away  with 
this  disgrace,  and  converting  into  active  forces  the  thousands  of 
Indians  who  to-day  are  a  millstone  around  the  neck  of  a  civilized 
society." 

This  work,  so  auspiciously  begun  a  few  years  ago,  has  encoun- 
tered all  kinds  of  difficulties.  The  trustees  seem  not  to  have 
managed  their  responsibilities  very  well ;  difficulties  have  come 
up  between  them  and  the  directors  ;  the  Government  has  become 
dissatisfied  with  the  small  amount  of  educational  work  done  and 
has  withdrawn  its  support.  Most  money  was  wasted  in  buying  a 
motor-boat,  which  proved  to  be  unusable ;  the  funds  destined  for 
school  work  are  being  paid  out  in  interest  for  a  large  amount  of 
land,  much  of  which  is  not  usable.  The  directors  have  been 
changed  several  times,  and  at  present  they  are  looking  for  an- 
other member. 

I  have  not  found  a  sadder  situation  than  this  one  in  all  South 
America.  It  gives  point  to  the  fact  that  unquestionably  the  best 
way  to  do  a  permanent  work  in  these  countries  is  to  organize  it 
under  a  strong  mission  Board  which  has  a  permanent  constit- 
uency, and  has  developed  a  policy  of  management  that  assures 
permanency  and  a  business-like  expenditure  of  funds.  As  one 
studies  the  Indian  work,  he  is  impressed  with  the  fact  that,  while 
the  independent  workers  have  really  made  great  sacrifices  and 
have  gone  through  these  lands  sowing  Scriptures  and  Christian 
tracts,  yet  there  is  a  lack  of  permanency  of  the  work.  'The  poor 
Indians  are  sometimes  only  won  to  evangelical  work  long  enough 
to  incur  the  hatred  of  the  community,  and  then  the  worker 
moves  along  to  another  field,  abandoning  them  to  the  persecutions 
of  the  parish  priests. 

In  Jujuy,  Argentina,  I  am  told  that  there  are  five  different 
agencies  working  among  the  Indians.  The  workers  come  and  go, 
throughout  this  whole  territory.  What  is  needed  is  a  number  of 
permanent  centers,  well-established,  and  with  a  definite  policy 
that  will  continue  through  the  years,  educating  the  Indians  not 
only  in  spiritual  things,  but  aiding  them,  baffled  by  their  contact 
with  civilization,  to  solve  their  economic  and  social  problems. 
In  any  plans  that  shall  be  made,  it  should  be  remembered  that  the 

81 


Indians  are  a  distinctively  agricultural  people  ;  they  need  to  be 
better  fitted  for  a  close  relationship  to  the  soil. 

United  States  Minister  O'Rear  believes  that  we  might  induce 
the  Rockefeller  Foundation  to  do  something  for  the  Indians,  espe- 
cially in  view  of  their  awful  physical  degradation,  brought  about 
by  the  use  of  alcohol,  the  coco  leaf,  and  various  evil  influences 
working  to  destroy  them,  physically  as  well  as  spiritually. 

The  best  book  on  social  conditions  in  Bolivia  is  "Pueblo  En- 
fermo,"  by  Arguedas,  who,  because  of  the  unmerciful  exposure 
of  his  country's  weaknesses,  is  compelled  to  live  outside  of  his 
native  land. 

Concerning  conditions  among  the  Indians,  Sr.  Arguedas  says: 
"Blinded  by  different  contradictory  creeds,  under  the  material  and 
moral  influence  of  the  priests,  the  patrons  and  public  officials,  his 
soul  is  a  deposit  of  rumors  from  time  past..  When  the  flower  of 
his  race  was  shut  up  against  its  will  in  the  heart  of  the  mines,  he 
wasted  away  rapidly,  gaining  the  help  and  sympathy  of  none. 
This  hate  has  accumulated  so  that  the  race  has  lost  its  best  char- 
acteristics. To-day  the  Indians  are  the  object  of  general  ex- 
ploitation and  general  antipathy.  When  this  exploitation  in  an 
aggressive  and  brutal  form  arrives  at  a  maximum  and  the  suf- 
ferers have  come  to  the  point  when  they  have  gotten  beyond  the 
power  of  human  forbearance,  then  the  Indian  rises,  forgets  his 
manifest  inferiority,  loses  the  instinct  of  conservation,  and,  listen- 
ing to  his  soul,  replete  with  hatred,  looses  his  passions  and  robs 
and  assassinates  with  terrible  vigor.  Authority,  patron,  power, 
priest, — nothing  exists  for  him.  The  idea  of  reprisals  and  punish- 
ment, if  it  occurs  to  him,  acts  only  as  on  the  fiendish  tiger,  es- 
caped from  his  den.  Afterward,  when  he  has  given  free  rein  to 
all  of  his  passions,  let  the  soldiers,  the  priests  and  the  judges 
come  and  kill  and  rob — it  makes  no  difference  ;  and  certainly 
they  come.  Certainly  they  kill,  they  rob,  they  violate,  they  sow 
terror  on  all  sides.  Those  who  escape  death  are  taken  before  law- 
yers and  judges,  well-read,  whose  occupation  consists  in  showing 
the  terrible  apparatus  of  the  law.  The  Indians  are  put  in  obscure 
gaols,  and  taken  out  once  in  a  while  under  the  armed  vigilance  of 
soldiers  and  made  to  work  ten  hours  a  day  without  food  sufficient 
to  sustain  their  poor,  weak  bodies  after  so  much  privation." 

There  could  be  no  stronger  appeal  to  help  these  poor,  benighted 
people  than  the  following  document,  only  one  of  many  similar,  . 
published  in  El  Comercio,  a  leading  daily  of  La  Paz : 

«  82 


"To  THE  President  of  the  Hon.  Council  of  the  Province  of  Arque  : 

"It  is  my  painful  duty  to  report  the  following  shameful  charges  against 
Isidore  Claros,  priest  of  Quirquiavi: 

"In  a  sermon,  he  told  the  Indians  that  those  who  obeyed  the  municipal- 
ity were  savages,  adulterers,  and  excommunicated ;  that  neither  the 
municipality  nor  the  President  had  anything  to  do  with  the  Church.  He 
recently  ordered  the  Indians  to  close  up  a  street  which  the  municipality 
had  opened. 

"He  demands  from  the  Indians  taxes  he  has  not  the  least  right  to 
demand. 

"In  less  than  a  month  he  has  collected  from  Manuel  Beltran  $56  for 
burial  rites  and  ^32  for  masses,  and  now  threatens  to  send  his  Church 
officials  to  take  charge  of  the  property  of  the  widow. 

"From  Gavino  Checa,  another  poor  Indian,  he  demanded  $12  for  having 
pronounced  a  blessing  over  his  deceased  sister,  but  Checa,  not  being  able 
to  pay,  the  priest  seized  four  of  his  sheep  and  intends  to  take  possession 
also  of  three  llamas,  the  property  of  the  deceased  sister. 

"From  another  widow,  this  heartless  wretch  has  extorted  ^32  for  masses 
and  responses. 

"He  thinks  that,  being  parish  priest,  he  is  the  owner  of  all  the  prop- 
erty of  the  Indians,  whom  he  fleeces  extravagantly  in  the  face  of  public 
outcry.  He  goes  to  their  preserves  in  search  of  sheep,  which  he  secures  by 
saying  a  few  prayers  over  their  belongings  in  order  to  keep  away  the  evil 
spirits.  He  intrudes  into  the  huts  and  performs  these  ceremonies  against 
their  wishes.  He  brings  them. from  their  ranches  and  makes  them  marry 
against  their  will,  just  for  the  money  it  brings  him. 

"In  August  last,  he  whipped  a  poor  widow  named  Maria  Tola  from  the 
church  to  her  house,  because  she  had  informed  the  municipality  that  he 
had  extorted  ^32  from  her.  He  left  her,  saying  :  'That  will  teach  you  to 
go  to  the  municipality.' 

"The  man  does  just  as  he  pleases,  and  says  he  fears  nobody  and  no 
authority." 

Besides  "Aves  sin  Nidos"  and  "Pueblo  Enfermo,"  I  have  read, 
during  my  trip  through  the  Highlands^  the  History  of  Bolivia  and 
the  biography  of  Simon  Bolivar.  Four  books*  more  calculated  to 
throw  one  into  the  blackest  pessimism,  would  be  hard  to  find. 
Bolivia  had  some  ten  different  constitutions  between  her  birth 
as  a  Republic,  in  1825,  and  her  war  with  Chile,  in  1879.  Of  all 
her  many  Presidents,  scarcely  one  completed  his  term  or  died  a 
natural  death. 

General  Bolivar  is  sometimes  compared  to  Washington,  and 
rightly  in  many  ways,  for  he  rendered  a  great  service  in  freeing 
his  people  from  the  despotism  of  Europe.  But  the  study  of  his 
life  is  far  from  a  moral  inspiration.     His  egotism,  pessimism  and 

^  Aves  Sin  Aldos,  Clorinda  ]\Iatto  de  Turner,  F.  Sempere  y  Cia,  Barce- 
lona. 

Pueblo  Eiifcnno,  A.  Arguedas,  Vda.  de  Luis  Tasso,  Barcelona. 
Covipeiidio  de  la  Historia  de  Bolivia,  A  de  Uribe  y  Cia.  Madrid. 
Simon  Bolivar,  Iiitiiiw,  F.  Sempere  y  Cia,  Barcelona. 

83 


immorality  are  too  continually  evident  for  him  to  be  a  model  for 
the  South  American  youth. 

Too  much  reading  of  such  literature,  and  too  much  witnessing 
of  the  pitiable  life  of  the  Indians  of  the  Andean  Plateau  might 
burden  one's  heart  until  it  broke. 


84 


IX.    CHILE 

]\Iy  visit  to  Chile  was  one  of  the  most  satisfactory  of  the  whole 
trip.  The  Chilean  Committee  on  Cooperation  had  outlined  in 
detail  my  daily  program  for  every  day  of  the  four  weeks  that  I 
spent  in  that  Republic.  Either  the  president  or  secretary  of  the 
Committee  accompanied  me  in  visiting  practically  every  evangeli- 
cal center  of  importance  from  Antofagasta  to  Temuco. 

From  Antofagasta,  the  center  of  the  nitrate  district,  which  has 
waxed  fat  on  war  profits  and  developed  into  a  modern  city  with 
spiritual  needs  greater  by  far  than  the  one  worker  there  can  possi- 
bly supply,  I  went  south  on  a  coast  boat.  I  was  enabled  thus  to 
visit  briefly  several  evangelical  centers  before  reaching  Valparaiso. 
The  Presbyterian  (U.  S.  A),  and  Methodist  Episcopal  Boards  con- 
duct practically  all  the  work  from  the  extreme  northern  border 
of  Chile  to  Temuco  in  the  south.  In  the  southern  section  of  the 
country  the  South  American  Missionary  Society,  the  Christian  and 
Missionary  Alliance,  the  Southern  Baptists,  Adventists  and  Pente- 
costals  are  w^orking.  Between  the  Presbyterians  and  Methodists 
there  is  practically  no  duplication  of  work,  but  all  the  way  down 
this  narrow  country  their  fields  alternate,  making  it  necessary  in 
visiting  either  work  to  cover  nearly  the  whole  country. 

The  progressive  city  of  Valparaiso,  wdth  250,000  people,  has 
been  deeply  afifected  by  the  evangelical  work.  Much  of  this  is  due 
to  the  excellent  foreign  colonies,  mostly  English,  that  have  so 
splendidly  supported  the  religious  and  philanthropic  institutions  of 
the  city,  which  include  the  well-equipped  Anglican  and  Union 
churches,  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  and  the  Protest- 
ant Orphanage.  It  is  no  doubt  due  to  the  example  of  the  foreign 
colonies  in  the  various  cities,  as  well  as  to  the  missionaries,  that 
such  a  large  number  of  educational  and  philanthropic  societies  are 
now  being  formed  by  the  Chileans  themselves.  This  differentiates 
them  as  a  progressive  people  with  ability  for  leadership. 

The  country  itself  has  not  been  so  prosperous  for  a  long  time 
as  at  present.  The  exports  for  the  month  of  June  were  $20,000,- 
000  and  the  imports  only  $2,000,000.  Naturally  this  influences 
exchange  and  works  a  hardship  on  missionaries  and  other  for- 
eigners whose  basis  of  living  is  calculated  in  American  or  Eng- 
lish gold.  The  Chilean  peso,  which  has  been  worth  about  eighteen 
cents  gold   for  the  last  several  years,  is  now  worth  twenty-five 

85 


cents.  Prices  have  not  come  down  in  proportion  ;  on  the  con- 
trary, they  are  rising  all  the  time. 

Such  organizations  as  the  Sociedad  de  Instruccion  Primaria, 
composed  of  a  number  of  the  better  middle-class  men,  who  are 
giving  time  and  money  to  the  establishment  of  primary  schools, 
are  aiding  the  Government  to  grapple  with  this  tremendous  prob- 
lem. At  present  there  are  enrolled  338,000  children  in  the  Gov- 
ernment primary  schools,  with  448,000  more  children  of  school 
age  without  any  facilities  for  instruction. 

The  Chilean  Government  has  been  recently  developing  savings 
banks  with  great  success.  The  manager  of  the  Valparaiso  Branch 
claimed  that  Chile  is  second  to  France  in  the  percentage  of  its 
inhabitants  who  had  savings  accounts.  Chileans  own  various 
commercial  enterprises  which  in  other  Latin-American  countries 
are  in  the  hands  of  foreigners.  In  most  of  these  countries  the 
school  desks  are  imported,  but  Chile  makes  her  own.  Most  of 
her  shoes,  even  those  with  North  American  marks,  are  made  at 
home.  Chileans  are  also  investing  heavily  in  commercial  enter- 
prises in  Bolivia  and  Argentina.  They  are  intensely  patriotic, 
and  have  probably  the  most  clearly  defined  national  characteris- 
tics of  any  country  in  South  America.  Their  national  motto  is 
"By  Reason  or  by  Force."  Their  conception  of  their  nation  as 
expressed  to  me  by  one  of  their  leading  Government  officials 
while  I  was  being  entertained  at  his  home,  may  be  summed  up  as 
follows : 

"Chile  is  the  only  country  in  America  that  has  a  parliamentary 
form  of  government.  This  explains  why  they  have  so  often  escaped 
revolution  when  there  has  been  plenty  of  provocation  for  it.  The 
present  President  was  compelled  to  change  his  cabinet  eight  days 
after  his  election,  and  call  to  the  Ministry  of  the  Interior  the  leader 
of  the  Opposition  Party.  According  to  the  constitution,  the  President 
has  the  same  power  as  the  President  of  the  United  States,  but  since 
the  civil  war,  in  which  Balmaceda,  the  President,  was  defeated  in  a 
contest  with  the  Congress,  the  real  power  in  Chile  has  been  the 
Congress. 

"In  1910  Chile  had  three  Presidents,  two  dying  in  office  within  a 
month  of  one  another,  and  the  third  being  elected  by  Congress,  and 
yet  there  was  not  the  least  sign  of  a  revolution. 

"Chile  is,  in  a  sense,  ruled  by  an  oligarchy,  but  it  is  an  oligarchy 
of  those  who  have  become  rich  and  influential  by  hard  work,  rather 
than  an  oligarchy  of  the  old  Spanish  families.  The  present  President 
is  a  self-made  man.  The  Government  pays  a  pension  to  the  widows 
of  four  former  Presidents. 

"The  national  spirit  in  Chile  is  very  strong.  Not  long  ago  the 
Government   voted   $10,000,000   for   new    school    buildings.     A    North 

86 


American  friend  wished  me  to  go  in  with  him  and  secure  the  contracts 
for  these  buildings,  but  I  assured  him  it  would  not  be  possible,  be- 
cause the  national  spirit  would  not  allow  people  outside  the  country 
to  erect  such  buildings.  If  the  Government  had  given  him  these  con- 
tracts it  would  have  incited  a  revolution. 

"Chile  has  a  strong  military  force  without  militarism.  All  young 
men  from  19  to  21  must  serve  a  year  in  the  army.  This  gives  Chile 
15.000  new  soldiers  every  year,  and  enables  her  to  put  300,000  trained 
men  under  arms  at   short  notice. 

"You  may  laugh  at  me  when  I  say  that  Chile  is  the  freest  country 
on  earth;  we  are  not  kept  from  doing  anything  that  is  legitimate;  we 
want  our  Government  to  have  more  authority,  but  it  will  not  assume 
as  much  as  we  think  it  should.  The  Monroe  Doctrine,  as  my  friend 
Prefessor  Bingham  says,  is  obsolete,  and  it  is  the  one  thing  that  is 
keeping  North  America  from  progressing  as  it  ought  in  Chile.  Do 
you  realize  that  Chile  is  the  only  country  that  has  ever  really  shed 
blood  to  protect  America  from  Europe?  That  was  when  Spain  en- 
deavored to  reconquer  Peru  in  1864.  Chile  had  no  reasons  whatever, 
except  altruistic  ones,  for  helping  Peru,  but  she  went  into  the  war 
immediately  and  suffered  heavily.  The  fleet  of  the  United  States  lay 
in  the  harbor  of  Valparaiso  while  the  Spaniards  bombarded  the  city, 
refusing  to  raise  a  hand  to  help  South  America  against  a  European 
foe" 

I  only  wish  that  investigation  indicated  that  the  picture  was  as 
roseate  as  my  friend  paints  it.  Many  people  claim  that  the  Gov- 
ernment is  in  the  hands  of  an  oligarchy  of  some  hundred  fam- 
ilies, which  oppress  the  poor  to  such  an  extent  that  a  revolution 
is  imminent. 

In  no  country  in  Latin  America  has  the  evangelical  propaganda 
placed  more  emphasis  on  schoools  than  in  Chile.  Some  of  the 
best  known  schools  in  the  Republic  are  conducted  by  the  Prot- 
estant Missions. 

Valparaiso  is  the  center  of  a  most  interesting  parochial  school 
system.  La  Escuela  Popular  has  been  maintained  by  the  Pres- 
byterian Mission,  North,  for  many  years.  It  reaches  the  chil- 
dren of  the  church  members  and  others  of  the  artisan  class.  Be- 
sides the  large  central  branch,  which  has  courses  from  the 
kindergarten  up  through  the  eighth  grade,  there  have  been  estab- 
lished seven  branches  in  different  parts  of  the  city,  with  a  total 
matriculation  of  about  i,ooo.  There  is  a  constant  demand  for 
the  extension  of  these  schools,  not  only  in  Valparaiso,  but  in  other 
parts  of  Chile.  This  is  due  to  the  fact,  (i)  that  Chile  has  placed 
her  educational  emphasis  on  secondary  schools  and  more  than 
half  of  the  children  of  primary  age  are  without  school  privileges, 
and  (2)  that  the  superiority,  both  educational  and  moral,  of  the 
missionary  primary  schools  over  Government  schools  is  generally 

recognized. 

^  87 


The  fact  that  La  Escuela  Popular  places  emphasis  on  Bible 
teaching  and  invites  all  of  its  pupils  to  the  Sunday  School  and 
preaching  services,  which  are  held  in  the  school  building,  seems 
to  be  no  draw^back  to  the  attendance,  which  is  always  as  large  as 
the  premises  will  permit. 

In  every  city  and  town  visited  in  Chile,  the  need  for  primary 
schools  was  very  evident.  It  was  not  difficult,  therefore,  for  one 
to  sympathize  with  the  urgent  appeal  of  the  missionaries  in  Val- 
paraiso and  other  places  for  the  development  of  a  normal  school 
which  would  make  possible  the  multiplying  of  evangelical  prim- 
ary schools. 

In  Santiago  one  finds  an  entirely  dififerent  missionary  educa- 
tional situation  from  the  one  in  Valparaiso.  There  are  no  prim- 
ary schools  in  the  former  comparable  to  the  Escuelas  Poptdares, 
which  reach  the  Church's  and  other  poor  people's  children.  There 
are,  however,  two  large  boarding  schools  in  Santiago,  and  several 
in  other  centers,  whose  influence  reaches  out  through  Chile  and 
to  the  other  republics  of  the  West  Coast,  which  minister  to  chil- 
dren of  the  higher  classes.  The  Santiago  College  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church,  for  girls,  and  the  Instituto  Ingles,  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  North,  for  boys,  have  a  dominating  influ- 
ence among  the  schools  of  the  capital.  Each  has  a  splendid 
equipment,  although  greatly  in  need  of  enlargement.  Many  dis- 
interested observers  believe  that  these  two  institutions  have  been 
the  greatest  force  for  righteousness  in  Chile. 

I  spent  several  days  in  each  of  these  schools,  and  it  would  take 
many  pages  to  tell  of  the  splendid  work  they  are  doing.  Some 
criticism  has  been  made  of  the  schools  because  neither  of  them 
has  largely  touched  the  life  of  the  Evangelical  Church  in  Chile. 
Their  teaching  is  entirely  in  English.  Thev  draw  their  p'^tron-, 
age  from  the  higher  classes,  who  are  able  to  pay  expensive 
tuitions.  Thus  they  are  not  only  entirely  self-supporting,  but  earn 
enough  to  continually  enlarge  their  equipment. 

At  times  scholarships  have  been  given  to  evangelical  children, 
but  as  these  come  from  the  uncultured  classes,  the  results  have 
not  always  been  satisfactory.  Bible  instruction  and  a  warm 
Christian  spirit  is  maintained  in  the  classrooms.  Great  good  is 
done  by  sending  .out  into  the  community  young  people  who,  if 
not  definitely  committed  to  the  Protestant  Church  organization, 
are  sympathetic  toward  it,  and  maintain  high  moral  ideals.  Cer- 
tainly such  work  is  eminently  worth  while. 

I  found,  however,  a  lack  of  coordination  between  the  evangel- 

88 


istic  and  educational  work  in  Chile  which  at  first  was  difficult  to 
understand.  With  such  efficient  educational  institutions  and  an 
unusually  strong  force  of  evangelistic  missionaries,  one  is  per- 
plexed at  not  seeing  a  more  rapid  growth  of  the  Evangelical 
Church.  I  came  to  believe  that  the  reason  is  that  the  missionaries 
are  educating  one  class  of  people,  and  evangelizing  another  class. 
Where  the  church  schools  do  help  to  educate  the  church's  chil- 
dren, it  is  only  in  the  primary  grades.  There  is  no  way  of  taking 
tliem  on  to  the  higher  grades  where  they  would  be  either  trained 
directly  as  Christian  workers  or  developed  into  intelligent  Chris- 
tian laymen. 

So  while  on  the  one  hand  the  general  community  has  felt  the 
higher  moral  ideals  taught  influential  young  people  in  Christian 
boarding  schools,  on  the  other  hand,  the  Evangelical  Church  has 
not  challenged  the  attention  of  the  better  classes.  It  started  with 
the  humbler  classes,  and  has  remained  on  that  same  low  intel- 
lectual level. 

The  remedy  is  evidently  a  provision  for  secondary  schools  for 
the  Christian  community,  with  first-class  professional  schools  for 
training  the  Church's  ministers  and  teachers,  continuing  at  the 
same  time  the  splendid  work  of  those  schools  which  are  influenc- 
ing the  nation  at  large  and  raising  its  moral  ideals.  It  will  be 
seen  later  that  the  Regional  Committee  adopted  plans  to  carry 
out  these  lines  of  development. 

The  missionaries  in  Chile  are  re-studying,  with  an  open-minded- 
ness  that  is  refreshing,  the  whole  evangelical  program. 

In  a  conference  with  twenty-five,  ministers  and  teachers  in 
Santiago,  the  fact  was  brought  out  that  there  are  a  great  many 
organizations  among  the  Chileans  themselves  that  are  endeavor- 
ing to  serve  the  people.  The  University  students  are  planning  a 
building,  for  which  they  have  already  collected  a  hundred  thou- 
sand pesos,  in  which  the  students  from  outside  Santiago  will  be 
given  a  home.  They  are  also  organizing  classes  outside  the  Uni- 
versity to  help  their  fellow-students  from  the  Provinces  to  meet 
the  examination  requirements.  The  problem  for  the  evangelical 
workers  is  to  get  in  contact  with  these  philanthropic  organiza- 
tions, and  to  lead  them  along  the  lines  of  Christian  service. 

In  such  circles  the  idea  prevails  that  the  Evangelical  Church 
is  simply  another  ecclesiastical  organization  like  the  Roman 
Church.  Many  evangelical  leaders  have  come  to  believe  that  an 
emphasis  on  the  program  of  service  and  on  the  national  church 
idea  would  win  many  Chileans  to  the  Protestant  cause  who  are 

89 


now  working  for  their  country's  uplift.  The  oldest  missionary 
present,  speaking  on  the  importance  of  the  native  leadership,  said : 
"It  would  be  a  blessing  to  the  Chilean  Christians  if  all  of  us  mis- 
sionaries would  clear  out  of  the  country!"  Of  course,  he  only 
meant  to  express  in  the  strongest  terms  his  convictions  on  the 
need  of  a  national  church. 

I  had  a  most  interesting  meeting  with  the  national  workers  in 
Santiago.  They  had  appointed  a  committee  beforehand  to  care- 
fully work  out  the  questions  they  wished  to  raise.  The  following 
is  a  summary  of  their  discussions : 

1.  Preparation   of   a   National   Ministry   and   the   Seminary.      The 

Chilean  ministers  have  not  had  an  opportunity  to  prepare  themselves 
for  their  work,  and  hence  they  are  very  largely  incapable  of  leadership. 
The  Seminary  is  doing  something  toward  remedying  this,  and  yet  its 
organization  is  loose.  To  do  its  best  work,  it  should  have  two  or 
three  men  who  would  give  all  their  time  to  it.  The  Boards  have 
failed  to  provide  scholarships  for  young  men.  There  are  a  number 
of  young  men  who  are  now  ready  to  go  to  the  Seminary  if  there 
were  any  way  for  them  to  pay  their  expenses. 

2.  Relations  between  Foreign  and  National  Workers.  In  spite  of 
lack  of  funds  to  sustain  students  in  the  seminary,  to  pay  ininisters  a 
living  salary  and  to  open  new  work,  the  Boards  were  using  extra 
funds  to  send  more  foreign  missionaries.  This  is  in  direct  opposition 
to  the  recommendation  of  the  Regional  Conference  in  Santiago,  which 
emphasized  the  need  of  more  national  workers.  Some  thought  that 
there  should  not  be  any  more  foreign  missionaries  sent  to  Chile  for 
a  while.  The  majority  opinion,  however,  was  that  missionaries  should 
only  be  sent  when  the  number  of  national  workers  was  proportion- 
ately enlarged.  It  was  agreed  that  this  proportion  should  be  one  for- 
eign worker  to  five  national  workers.  The  foreign  missionaries  now 
on  their  way  to  Chile  for  the  Presbyterian  Mission  will  mean  that 
there  is  actually  less  work  done  in  extending  the  Church  itself,  as  at 
least  the  house  rent  of  these  missionaries  must  come  out  of  the  pres- 
ent budget  allowed  for  the  extension  of  evangelistic  work.  The  rent 
of  a  house  for  one  of  these  new  missionaries  would  pay  the  entire 
salary   of  a   Chilean   minister. 

3.  Salaries  of  National  Workers.  Some  felt  that  there  was  entirely 
too  much  difference  between  the  salaries  of  missionaries  and  Chilean 
ministers.  The  general  opinion,  however,  was  that  the  missionaries 
are  earning  all  they  are  getting;  that  they  were  faithful,  and  the 
Chileans  had  no  desire  to  have  the  missionaries'  salaries  lowered. 
They  do  feel  the  necessity  of  their  own  salaries  being  raised.  One 
minister  had  to  live  on  one  or  two  meals  a  day;  another  had  six  sons 
that  he  would  like  to  follow  him  in  the  ministry,  but  decided  that  they 
could  not  enter  a  work  that  did  not  give  one  support  enough  for 
proper  clothes,  or  the  education  of  his  children.  One  of  the  reasons 
that  there  are  so  few  young  men  entering  the  ministry  is  because  the 
salaries  paid   do   not   allow  a   decent   living. 

4.  Larger  Participation  of  National  Workers  in  Administration.     If 

90 


a  national  church  is  to  be  developed,  Chileans  must  have  something 
to  say  about  how  mission  funds  are  spent.  The  national  workers 
have  made  this  claim  for  many  years  and  are  just  now  beginning  to 
see  the  results,  for  to-day,  in  both  the  Methodist  and  Presbyterian 
Churches,  Chileans  have  representation  on  the  Finance  Committees. 

5.  Literature  and  Its  Distribution.  The  need  of  a  united  depository 
for  literature  is  of  paramount  necessity.  As  for  the  kind  of  literature, 
stories  are  particularly  needed.  They  will  have  a  much  larger  circu- 
lation than  theological  literature,  and  will  convey  the  truth  to  the 
hearts  of  many  more  people. 

The  educational  missionaries  in  Santiago  have  formed  close  re- 
lationships with  the  national  educational  leaders.  Several  have 
been  called  upon  to  teach  classes  in  the  University.  It  is  a  great 
pity  that  Mr.  McLean,  of  the  Presbyterian  Mission,  just  as  he 
was  beginning  to  give  all  his  time  to  work  with  the  educated 
classes,  had  to  accept  the  directorship  of  the  Instititto  Ingles.  Our 
missionaries,  who  have  such  cordial  relationships  with  educational 
circles,  should  be  given  time  to  cultivate  them.  If  the  two  mission 
schools  of  Santiago  should  unite,  as  planned,  in  furnishing  a 
college  course,  it  would  give  the  evangelical  cause  a  still  larger 
influence. 

The  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  has  just  sent  a  secre- 
tary to  Santiago  to  open  a  student  branch.  The  Methodists  have 
recently  begini  a  hostel  for  yoiuig  women  who  attend  the  Univer- 
sity. This  most  promising  work  meets  with  the  approval  of  the 
State  educationalists,  and  should  have  larger  quarters.  This  year 
they  had  twice  as  many  applicants  for  rooms  as  they  could  accom- 
modate. 

Where  the  national  educational  leaders  are  so  sympathetic,  the 
evangelical  cause  should  be  pushed  among  the  student  classes. 
This  would  involve  not  only  an  intensive  work  amou'i^  them,  but 
a  strengthening  of  the  evangelistic  leadership  and  the  provision 
of  better  church  buildings.  A  young  Chilean  pastor  was  recently 
appealed  to  for  spiritual  help  by  one  of  the  leading  men  of  the 
city.  The  minister  visited  him  in  his  home,  but  was  greatly  per- 
plexed about  inviting  him  to  the  dingy  little  hall  where  services 
are  held,  lest  the  gentleman  be  turned  against  the  whole  cause 
before  the  Gospel  Message  was  fully  understood. 

The  Concepcion  evangelical  work  is  well  established.  The 
Presbyterian  and  Methodist  Churches  both  have  good  buildings, 
and  the  Methodist  Boys'  School  has  one  of  the  finest  plants  of 
any  evangelical  school  in  South  America.  It  is  not  at  present 
being  used  to  its  capacity,  and  I  should  like  very  much  to  see  it 

91 


made  into  an  interdenominational  school  for  the  training  of  the 
Church's  children. 

Temuco,  in  southern  Chile,  is  the  center  of  the  Araucanian  In- 
dians, the  only  tribe  of  aborigines  in  South  America  that  success- 
fully resisted  all  attempts  to  conquer  them.  Thev  finally  became 
annexed  to  Chile  by  their  own  consent  in  1885.  Their  evangeliza- 
tion is  in  the  hands  of  the  South  American  Missionary  Society, 
founded  by  Allan  Gardiner.  The  Mission  has  a  well-developed 
industrial,  educational  and  evangelistic  work.  It  received  Govern- 
ment recognition  in  1903,  in  the  shape  of  a  grant  of  land  for  an 
agricultural  school. 

Many  of  the  graduates  of  the  schools  of  this  Mission  are  en- 
gaged in  teaching,  evangelism  and  other  activities,  in  many  cases 
bearing  the  expenses  and  furnishing  the  equipment  themselves. 
The  work  is  sufitering  deeply  for  lack  of  support.  The  splendid 
hospital  is  entirely  closed,  since  the  two  English  physicians  have 
been  called  to  the  colors.  No  new  evangelistic  missionaries  have 
been  sent  out  for  twenty  years.  The  workers  have  just  received 
word  from  headquarters  that  their  already  reduced  allowance  must 
be  still  further  curtailed  this  year.  Some  way  should  be  found  to 
advance  this  most  worthy  work  among  the  most  virile  Indians  of 
the  continent. 

Besides  the  Indian  work  in  Temuco,  which  is  a  city  of  30,000, 
there  are  evangelical  churches  sustained  by  the  Methodists,  Chris- 
tian and  jMissionary  Alliance  and  the  Pentecostals.  At  a  meeting 
of  the  local  workers  and  those  from  several  towns  around,  there 
was  a  frank  discussion  of  the  denomination'^1  overlapping  which, 
not  to  use  a  stronger  term,  is  very  noticeable  in  this  district. 
Among  the  suggestions  made  for  th2  bett:rment  of  the  work  at 
that  meeting  were  the  following : 

1.  Closer  cooperation  in  Southern  Chile,  where  denominational 
rivalry  disturbs  progress. 

2.  An  effort  should  be  made  to  reach  the  intellectual  classes.  Pub- 
lic conferences  and  lectures  in  theaters  and  other  places  were  recom- 
mended. 

3.  Literature  is  needed  to  interest  the  educated  classes.  Particularly 
translations  of  some  of  the  best  evangelical  novels.  Also  a  clean, 
non-doctrinal  periodical  for  young  people. 

4.  Better  preparation  of  national  workers.  An  international  theo- 
logical seminary,  where  candidates  for  the  ministry  can  get  as  good 
preparation  as  lawyers,  physicians  and  engineers  are  getting,  is  im- 
perative. 

5.  The  establishment  of  a  primary  school  at  the  side  of  every 
church. 

92 


6.  A  general  intensification  of  evangelical  work  in  order  to  combat 
the  recent  very  active  literary  propaganda  of  the  Roman  Catholic 
Church,  which  is  directed  against  the  Protestant  cause. 

The  Union  Theological  Seminary,  organized  three  years  ago 
by  the  Presbyterian  and  Methodist  missions,  has  done  a  surpris- 
ingly large  work,  considering  the  handicaps  under  which  it  has 
labored.  It  now  has  about  ten  students,  who  represent  all  grades 
of  preparation,  as  so  far  it  has  not  been  found  practicable  to  have 
entrance  examinations.  Classes  are  held  in  dark  and  dismal  quar- 
ters, with  practically  no  library  or  other  equipment.  Six  mission- 
aries give  part  of  their  time  as  instructors  in  the  institution,  but 
no  one  has  it  as  his  special  work.  The  presidency  has  alternated 
annually  between  the  two  missions. 

All  the  workers  realize  that  the  time  has  arrived  when  the  in- 
stitution must  be  strengthened  by  two  or  three  professors  being 
set  aside  for  all  their  time,  and  an  adequate  building  erected. 
Mission  Boards  can  do  no  one  thing  for  Chile  that  is  of  such 
importance  as  carrying  out  the  recommendation  of  the  Regional 
Committee  on  this  point. 

The  meeting  of  the  Advisory  Committee  on  Cooperation  in 
Chile  was  held  in  Santiago  after  I  had  visited  all  the  fields.  A 
remarkable  spirit  of  unity  prevailed.  It  was  one  of  the  most 
fruitful  meetings  of  my  entire  trip.  The  following  extracts  from 
the  minutes  of  that  meeting  show  the  most  important  items  in 
the  new  program : 

Report  of  Committee  on  Message  and  Method:  It  was  felt  that  the 
Churches  might  have  a  larger  influence  if  they  would  enter  into  social 
or  institutional  work.  A  trial  might  be  made  by  renting  a  building 
and  forming  boys'  and  girls'  clubs,  gymnasium  classes,  night  classes 
in  commercial  subjects,  mothers'  meetings,  musical  programs,  confer- 
ences, etc.  This  work  should  be  under  the  supervision  of  a  Board  of 
Directors,  to  be  chosen  from  the  laity.  In  Valparaiso  the  Missions 
are  trying  to  connect  the  schools  more  closely  to  the  Church  through 
visits, by  the  teachers  to  the  homes  of  the  pupils.  The  wives  of  the 
missionaries  are  teaching  a  half-day  in  the  school  each  week  in  order 
to  allow  the  teachers  to  make  these  visits.  More  Bible  Women  are 
needed.  A  simultaneous  evangelistic  campaign  on  a  national  scale  has 
been  found  impracticable,  but  simultaneous  meetings  were  held  in 
Santiago,  Concepcion  and  Valparaiso  during  Easter  week.  Evangel- 
istic meetings  could  probably  be  held  successfully  in  these  centers  if 
an  outside  man  could  be  secured  to  conduct  them.  It  was  decided  to 
invite  Rev.  G.  P.  Howard,  of  Buenos  Aires,  to  conduct  meetings  for 
two  weeks  in  each  center.  The  appointment  of  Robert  Elphick,  D.  A. 
Edwards  and  R.  C.  Scott  to  prepare  for  this  campaign,  was  approved 
by  the  general  committee. 

93 


Report  on  Church  in  the  Field:  The  chairman  reported  that  there 
is  a  marked  change  occurring  in  the  Roman  Catholic  Church;  that  it 
is  more  active  and  aggressive.  It  is  multiplying  its  schools,  even  ad- 
vocating the  education  of  every  child  in  Chile.  There  has  been  an 
abandonment  of  certain  practices  in  the  Church.  It  is  more  careful 
of  the  wines  it  advertises  and  has  eliminated  processions.  AH  this 
means  a  rise  in  the  general  level  of  Christian  work.  The  attitude  of 
Government  officials  is  favorable  to  the  school  work  of  the  Missions; 
there  is  a  growing  interest  in  Christianity,  but  not  in  religion.  "Any- 
thing for  Christ,  but  nothing  for  controversy,"  was  the  stand  taken  by 
many. 

Report  on  "Heraldo  Cristiano":  (This  is  a  union  paper,  supported 
by  Methodists  and  Presbyterians).  The  chairman  reported  a  deficit  at 
present.  The  periodical  chjinge  of  editors  was  not  satisfactory.  Sev- 
eral urged  the  appointment  of  a  permanent  editor,  regardless  of  de- 
nominational connection,  in  order  to  give  the  paper  a  consistent 
policy.  It  was  decided  to  recommend  to  the  Missions  concerned  that 
a  permanent  editor  be  chosen.  A  more  versatile  and  progressive 
editorial  policy  is  needed. 

Report  on  Literature:  The  chairman  of  this  committee  reported 
the  following  plan  for  a  depository:  To  form  a  joint  stock  company 
with  a  capital  of  40,000  pesos  in  shares  of  100  pesos  each — selling 
250  shares  with  50  per  cent,  paid  up  and  the  balance  subject  to  call, 
annually,  at  the  rate  of  5  or  10  per  cent,  if  needed.  The  committee 
proposes  to  sell  the  majority  of  the  shares  as  follows:  Presbyterian 
Mission,  80;  Methodist  Mission,  80;  Committee  on  Cooperation  in 
Latin  America,  40;  American  Bible  Society,  20;  Y.  M.  C.  A..  15;  the 
Valparaiso  Tract  and  Bible  Society  offering  to  contribute  700  pesos. 
No  one  shareholder  shall  be  allowed  to  hold  more  than  45  per  cent, 
of  the  total  issue  of  stock.  Each  shareholding  Mission  or  organiza- 
tion shall  be  entitled  to  one  director,  who  shall  have  one  vote  for 
every  ten  shares  held  by  the  Mission.  Each  shareholder  shall  receive 
or  bear  the  profit  or  loss  in  proportion  to  the  amount  of  stock  held. 
The  Board  of  Directors  shall  choose  the  manager.  It  is  proposed  to 
rent  a  store-room  in  the  center  of  the  city  and  handle  school  supplies 
as  well  as  evangelical  literature. 

Report  of  Special  Committee  on  Education:  The  opinion  is  unani- 
mous that  the  Seminary  shall  have  first  place  among  the  various 
union  projects  which  the  Boards  have  been  asked  to  support.  The 
proposed  building  will  require  $30,000  U.  S.  gold  at  the  exchange  rate 
of  five  to  one. 

An  administrative  council  of  six  members  should  be  appointed, 
which  would  elect  the  president  and  other  members  of  the  faculty  and 
outline  the  policies,  in  conjunction  with  a  Home  Committee,  to  be 
appointed  by  the  cooperating  Boards.  Representation  on  the  Admin- 
istrative Council  shall  be  in  proportion  to  the  amount  of  capital  in- 
vested. 

It  will  be  expected  that  national  workers  be  represented  in  the 
faculty  to  as  large  a  degree  as  practicable. 

In  order  to  carry  out  the  plan  already  agreed  upon  of  establishing 
a  primary  school  in  every  city  and  town  where  the  Missions  have  a 
Protestant   church,   it   is   necessary  to   have  a   Norma!    School   for   the 

94 


preparation^  of  teachers.  The  need  for  these  primary  schools  is  so 
great  that  if  we  had  the  teachers  and  the  necessary  funds,  primary 
schools  could  be  opened  at  once  in  forty  towns  where  there  are 
churches  and  chapels.  The  committee  therefore  recommends  the  be- 
ginning of  a  Union  Normal  School  in  Valparaiso.  An  estimate  of 
about  $25,000  was  made  for  securing  necessary  property  and  meeting 
running  expenses  for  the  lirst  year.  The  original  expense  shall  be 
borne  equally  by  the  Missions  which  join  in  the  enterprise,  and  the 
administration  shall  be  in  their  hands. 

To  meet  the  present  urgent  need,  and  until  a  building  and  teachers 
are  provided,  the  committee  recommends  a  yearly  grant  to  the  Escucla 
Popular  in  Valparaiso  of  2,400  pesos  ($500  U.  S.)  for  rent  of  a  build- 
ing suitable  for  dormitory,  and  of  5,000  pesos  ($1,200  U.  S.)  as  a  schol- 
arship fund  for  ten  girls  at  500  pesos  each. 

This  committee  recommends  that  the  Colegio  Americana,  in  Con- 
cepcion,  be  made  into  an  academy  on  an  interdenominational  basis, 
similar  to  our  Church  schools  in  the  United  States,  with  the  definite 
aim  of  preparing  young  men  for  Christian  work.  In  order  to  make 
this  possible,  it  will  be  necessary  to  provide  free  tuition  for  poor 
students  who  are  to  be  chosen  from  the  boys  of  the  churches  and 
primary  schools.  An  endowment  will  be  necessary  to  jecure  the 
financing  of  the  institution  and  the  extra  equipment  necessary.  The 
plan  would  include  an  industrial  department,  which  would  afford  a 
means  of  partial  support  for  the  boys  as  well  as  teach  them  a  useful 
trade.  This  committee  would  suggest  that  the  Committee  on  Educa- 
tion be  empowered  to  work  out  the  details  of  this  plan. 

This  committee  recommends  that  in  connection  with  Santiago  Col- 
lege and  the  Iiistitufo  Ingles,  a  junior  college  course  be  begun.  For 
the  present  two  extra  teachers,  one  for  each  school,  will  provide  for 
this  course.  The  Directors  of  the  two  institutions  named  are  asked 
to  work  out  a  plan  in  consultation  with  the  chairman  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  Education.  The  financial  support  of  this  course  would  come 
from  the  fees  and  contributions  of  the  Mission  Boards,  looking  for- 
ward to  a  permanent  endowment.  The  class-rooms  of  the  Union  Sem- 
inary will  be  available  for  the  use  of  the  students  in  this  course. 

Report  of  the  Special  Committee  on  Institutional  Work:  This  com- 
mittee reported  that,  in  their  opinion,  institutional  work  should  be 
opened  in  two  centers — in  connection  with  the  Presbyterian  Mission 
in  Valparaiso,  and  in  connection  with  the  Methodist  Church  in  Santi- 
ago. The  committee  recommended'  that  a  Board  of  Directors  be 
chosen  among  the  laymen,  and  that  this  board  secure  a  manager  for 
the  work.  The  committee  endorsed  the  work-yard  recently  opened 
by  the  Salvation  Army,  and  expressed  their  desire  that  other  cities 
provide  such  aid  as  this  work-yard  gives  to  the  man  out  of  work  and 
in  need  of  food  and  a  bed. 

The  committee  also  adopted  a  constitution,  which  will  be  found 
given  in  full  in  an  appendix  to  this  Report. 

Here  is  a  strong-,  virile  program,  involving  strengthening  the 
theological  seminary,  the  reorganization  of  an  existing  school 
into  an  interdenominational  academy  for  the  education  of  the 

95 


Church's  children,  a  union  normal  school,  the  development  of  a 
Christian  college  from  the  two  existing  schools  in  Santiago,  the 
establishment  of  an  Evangelical  book-store  in  the  capital,  and 
the  beginning  of  institutional  work  in  Valparaiso  and  Santiago. 
This  does  not  involve  the  expenditure  of  a  very  large  amount  of 
money,  because  every  project  is  built  on  an  existing  institution. 
If  the  home  constituency  will  back  these  plans,  ten  years  from 
now  will  see  the  Evangelical  Church  exerting  a  much  greater  in- 
fluence on  this  republic. 

Morally  speaking,  Chile  is  a  very  needy  land.  While  her 
Roman  Catholic  clergy  probably  are  intellectually  superior  to  those 
of  any  other  South  American  country,  yet  the  Church,  in  com- 
bination with  the  land  barons,  is  shamefully  exploiting  the  people, 
and  doing  little  to  teach  them  that  morality  and  religion  are 
directly  related.  While  one  quickly  learns  to  love  the  Chilean 
people,  and  to  admire  their  strength  in  many  things,  he  cannot 
close  his  eyes  to  the  terrible  social  conditions,  where  most  of 
the  "better-class"  men  support  concubines,  and  the  Cholos  live 
in  the  most  promiscuous  relationships ;  to  the  intemperance  which 
is  rapidly  eating  out  the  vitals  of  the  race ;  to  the  prevailing  dis- 
honesty in  commercial  life ;  to  the  opposition  of  the  laboring 
classes ;  and  to  the  appalling  lack  of  a  religion  that  inspires  un- 
selfishness and  spiritual  longings.  I  know  of  no  country  in  Latin 
America  which  needs  more,  or  has  a  better  basis  on  which  to 
build  a  strong  Evangelical  Church. 


96 


X.    ARGENTINA 

I  spent  five  weeks  in  Argentina.  Entering  from  Chile  by  the 
Andes  mountains,  I  visited  the  western  metropoHs,  Mendoza. 
From  there  I  went  by  way  of  the  progressive  city  of  Cordova 
to  Tucuman,  the  ''farthest  north"  of  Argentine  cities.  Turning 
south  through  Rosario.  Santa  Fe  and  Buenos  Aires,  I  visited 
Bahia  Blanca,  the  southern  metropolis.  Thus  I  saw  Argentine 
life  not  only  at  its  capital,  but  in  the  principal  centers  on  its 
frontiers. 

Each  one  of  these  frontier  cities  is  full  of  modern  improve- 
ments, and  by  its  hustle,  pride  and  progress  reminds  one  of  the 
western  cities  of  the  United  States,  with  the  advantage  possibly 
on  the  Argentine  side.  This  may  be  because  the  Federal  Gov- 
ernment gives  more  substantial  help  in  city  building  in  Argen- 
tina than  in  the  United  States.  At  any  rate,  it  seemed  to  me 
that  there  are  a  greater  number  of  monumental  public  buildings 
in  the  Argentine  cities,  fewer  unpaved  streets,  more  strict  build- 
ing regulations  and  infinitely  better  park  systems.  Even  in  a 
little  town  like  Posadas,  with  15,000  people,  on  the  frontier  be- 
tween Argentina  and  Paraguay,  there  are  a  well-kept  plaza,  a 
splendid  municipal  government  building,  a  good  two-story  rail- 
way station,  paved  streets,  artistic  holders  for  the  electric  street 
lamps,  and  a  capable  police  force. 

Taking  only  one  department  of  national  life,  viz.,  hygiene,  we 
find  a  thorough  system  of  education  on  the  subject  in  every  part 
of  the  country.  In  the  public  schools,  charts,  publications  and 
moving  pictures  are  used ;  a  series  of  books  is  published  by  the 
Department  of  Health  at  popular  prices.  One  called  Higiene 
del  Ohreror  (Hygiene  of  the  Laborer)  not  only  takes  up  tubercu- 
losis and  other  similar  diseases,  but  treats  of  the  dangers  of 
alcoholism,  relationships  between  laborer  and  employer,  and  many 
other  interesting  questions.  Infant  mortality  has  been  reduced 
from  i8.57f  in  1874  to  9.9%  in  1913  (London's  is  10.449^).  ^-"^ 
total  mortality  from  22.71%  in  1894  to  15.5%  in  1913.  Similar 
advances  have  been  made  in  many  other  departments  of  life. 

The  impression  one  gets  as  he  visits  the  frontier  as  well  as 
the  more  populous  centers,  is  that  Argentina  is  a  well-orp:anized 
country,  a  country  that  has  found  itself,  a  country  that  is  going 
somewhere  and  knows  where  that  somewhere  is. 

97 


Yet  it  is  only  at  the  beginning  of  its  development.  It  has  two 
hundred  and  fifty  millions  of  acres  of  tillable  soil,  and  only  fifty 
millions  under  cultivation  ;  an  extent  of  territory  which,  if  as 
densely  populated  as  Italy,  would  contain  360  millions  of  people. 
Buenos  Aires,  the  third  greatest  city  in  America,  the  second  port 
in  America,  has  the  finest  newspaper  building  in  the  world,  sub- 
ways, fashions,  motor-cars,  clubs,  parks,  that  make  the  stranger's 
eyes  fairly  bulge  out  with  surprise. 

Unlike  other  Latin-American  countries,  the  population  of  Ar- 
gentina is  almost  purely  of  European  stock.  About  half  of  all 
the  pure  whites  in  Latin  America  live  in  Argentina  and  Uruguay. 
The  few  Indians  that  remain  are  now  found  entirely  separated 
from  the  rest  of  the  population,  inhabiting  only  the  Chaco  (the 
district  north  of  Tucuman),  and  Patagonia  in  the  extreme  south. 
Argentina  is  doing  for  the  old  European  Latin  races  what  the 
United  States  has  done  for  the  old  European  Anglo-Teutonic 
peoples.  Ninety-two  per  cent,  of  the  foreigners  of  Argentina 
are  Latins,  Italians  and  Spaniards  predominating.  In  Buenos 
Aires  in  1913,  out  of  50,700  births  only  15%  were  of  Argentine 
parents'  In  191 1,  225,000  foreigners  entered  the  country.  The 
melting  pot  boils  here  south  of  the  equator  with  as  much  fervor 
as  it  does  in  the  LTnited  States. 

The  attorney  of  a  great  railway  system,  a  former  Minister  of 
the  Interior,  said  to  me  that  when  he  came  to  a  difficult  point  of 
Argentine  law,  he  generally  went  to  the  court  records  of  twenty- 
five  years  ago  in  the  United  States,  and  would  nearly  always 
find  that  the  matter  had  been  faced  by  us.  "We  are  practically 
repeating  your  history,  and  our  problems  are  your  problems  of 
twenty-five  years  ago,"  he  said. 

One  is  impressed  with  two  other  characteristics  of  Argentina, 
her  egotism  and  her  materialism.  Egotism  is  a  common  trait  of 
youth,  of  success,  of  the  self-made  man.  Among  nations  it  is 
akin  to  patriotism.  But  it  is  trying  on  the  patience  to  have  it 
everlastingly  displayed  on  all  occasions  by  the  most  educated  as 
well  as  the  most  ignorant.  Garcia  Calderon's  idea  that  South 
America  is  developing  a  new  Latin  race  receives  little  support 
in  Argentina.  "That's  all  bosh — good  enough  for  books,  but  it's 
not  fact.  We  in  Argentina  are  not  developing  any  Latin  race ; 
we  are  developing  an  Argentine  race."  This  was  said  to  me  by 
one  of  the  leading  sociologists  of  Argentina.  "We  are  not  Latin 
Americans,  we  are  not  South  Americans, — we  are  Argentines," 
said  another  intellectual  leader.  In  a  conference  to  discuss  edu- 
cational questions  a  young  university  professor  said,  "The  fact 

98 


is  that  we  haven't  anything  to  learn  from  other  countries  about 
educational  systems."'  A  few  are  found  who  recognize  the  limi- 
tations of  their  country,  but  the  majority  seem  to  reason  like  the 
old  slave  w^ho  mentioned  that  his  master  was  the  greatest  man 
that  ever  lived — greater  than  Washington,  greater  than  Lincoln. 
"Well,  anyway,  he  isn't  greater  than  God,"  argued  his  companion. 
"No,"  was  the  reply,  "but  he  is  young  yet." 

What  kind  of  men  are  being  formed  here,  and  how  are  the 
Evangelical  forces  contributing  to  the  shaping  of  this  rich  young 
nation,  its  schools,  its  press,  its  social  fabric,  its  government ; 
its  moral  and  spiritual  ideals  in  the  home,  the  store,  the  street 
and  the  farm  ? 

Practically  all  visitors  are  struck  with  the  materialism  of  the 
average  Argentine.  As  one  says,  "Here  the  people  are  so  indif- 
ferent to  all  religions  that  they  have  no  time  to  be  hostile  to  any. 
There  is  perfect  liberty,  authorities  and  people  alike  seeming  to 
look  on  religious  work  as  an  amiable  form  of  insanity."  The  gov- 
erning classes  are  openly  opposed  to  the  Church.  The  educational 
leaders  are  largely  atheists  or  materialists.  The  laboring  men 
are  developing  a  socialism  which  has  as  one  of  its  strongest 
planks  opposition  to  religion.  Roman  Catholic  authorities,  as 
well  as  other  religious  agencies,  and  a  few  of  the  national  lead- 
ers, are  painfully  cognizant  of  these  facts. 

A  cataloging  of  the  evangelistic  forces  doing  work  in  Spanish 
in  Argentina  is  difficult.  There  are  many  small  organizations, 
independent  workers  and  individvial  congregatioons.  Some  of 
these  are  doing  great  good.  The  influence  of  others  is  toward  a 
wrong  interpretation  of  the  Gospel  by  the  community,  which  re- 
gards them  as  more  fanatical  than  the  Roman  Church.  Some  of 
the  churches  of  foreign  communities  are  gradually  realizing  their 
duty  toward  the  people  among  which  they  live,  and  are  opening 
work  in  Spanish.  The  regular  mission  boards  that  are  members 
of  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Latin  America,  doing  work 
in  Spanish,  are  the  Methodist  Episcopal,  Southern  Baptist,  Dis- 
ciples of  Christ,  Christian  and  Missionary  Alliance,  and  the  Evan- 
gelical Union  of  South  America.  The  Methodist  Mission  is  the 
oldest,  and  easily  predominates,  having  more  than  twice  the  work 
that  any  one  of  the  other  organizations  has — nearly  as  much  as 
all  others  together.  Their  churches  are  established  in  all  parts 
of  the  Republic.  They  maintain  the  only  three  mission  boarding 
schools,  and  the  only  theological  seminary  except  that  of  the  Bap- 
tists, and  the  only  orphanage  except  that  of  the  South  American 
Missionary  Society. 
I  99 


The  Southern  Baptists  have  the  next  most  widely  distributed 
work,  with  seven  missionary  famiHes.  Their  work  is  entirely 
evangelistic,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  day  schools  and  their 
theological  seminary  in  Buenos  Aires.  They  have  their  strongest 
work  in  Buenos  Aires  and  Rosario,  extending  west  to  Mendoza. 
The  Disciples  of  Christ  so  far  have  work  only  in  Buenos  Aires, 
but  are  planning  to  extend  through  the  northern  provinces  and 
into  Paraguay  to  Ascuncion.  The  Christian  and  Missionary  Al- 
liance has  nineteen  evangelistic  workers  in  Southern  Argentina. 
The  Evangelical  Union  of  South  America  has  six  missionary 
families.     Its  work  is  largely  in  the  province  of  Buenos  Aires. 

The  Brethren  of  England  have  a  very  large  work  in  Argen- 
tina, but  their  statistics  are  hard  to  get.  Alost  of  their  congre- 
gations are  attended  by  voluntary  pastors  who  earn  their  living 
at  other  work.  One  of  their  leaders  told  me,  however,  that  they 
had  forty  paid  workers  and  the  largest  membership  of  any  Church 
in  Argentina.  They  generally  keep  to  themselves  and  reject  any 
cooperative  plans,  though  there  are  notable  exceptions.  Their 
program  is  entirely  individualistic.  The  American  Brethren  have 
a  good  local  work  in  Rio  Cuarto,  with  two  missionary  families. 
The  Salvation  Army  has  a  very  extensive  work  in  Argentina.  It 
is  not  only  rescue  mission  and  charity  work,  such  as  the  Army 
does  in  the  United  States,  but  also  that  of  an  evangelistic  nature, 
such  as  any  church  would  do.  Its  philanthropic  plan  is  encour- 
aged by  the  Government  and  by  many  leading  citizens  who  grate- 
fully appreciate  it.  The  Y.  AI.  C.  A.  has  an  outstanding  work  in 
Buenos  Aires  with  its  own  well-equipped  building  which  houses 
a  large  City  Association  and  a  Student  Association  which  has 
done  the  most  notable  work  among  students  in  Latin  America. 

These  forces  do  not  begin  to  occupy  the  territory.  If  all  the 
missionaries,  preachers,  teachers,  and  other  evangelical  workers, 
native  and  foreign,  were  placed  in  the  Province  of  Buenos  Aires 
there  would  be  only  one  for  each  6,500  people.  In  Buenos  Aires, 
with  1,700,000,  there  are  fewer  than  twenty  churches  and  halls 
for  Spanish-speaking  services.  In  Bahia  Blanca,  with  100,000 
people,  there  is  one  resident  Protestant  minister,  and  there  are 
no  teachers.  In  the  provinces  of  Mendoza,  San  Juan  and  San 
Luis,  with  457,584  inhabitants,  there  are  five  ordained  ministers 
and  a  few  volunteer  helpers,  with  eight  churches.  The  country 
districts,  from  which  we  draw  most  of  our  ministers,  are  prac- 
tically unreached  in  Argentina.  And  if  we  think  of  the  unreached 
classes  of  people,  space  would  hardh   permit  of  their  meniion. 

100 


The  question  of  territorial  distribution  has  not  occupied  the  at- 
tention of  the  forces  because  it  has  been  thought  that  there  was 
little  question  of  duplication  of  work  while  there  was  so  much 
land  remaining  to  be  possessed.  The  great  advantage  of  having 
an  agreement  covering  territory  is  to  get  all  parts  of  a  country 
occupied — not  to  repress  the  organizations  in  the  extension  of 
their  work.  A  well  laid  out  plan  of  occupation,  with  each  organi- 
zation accepting  certain  territorial  responsibilities,  would  greatly 
hasten  the  evangelization  of  the  land.  Some  of  the  organizations 
would  object  to  entering  into  any  agreement  that  wovild  exclude 
them  from  any  territory,  but  probably  all  but  one  would  be  will- 
ing to  have  certain  spheres  of  influence  recognized.  An  arrange- 
ment of  this  kind,  starting  from  Buenos  Aires,  might  locate  the 
Methodist  work  through  the  northwest  to  Tucuman  and  west  to 
Mendoza  ;  the  Baptist  work  west  to  Alendoza,  and  to  the  south ; 
*the  Evangelical  Union  and  the  Christian  and  Missionary  Alliance, 
the  Province  of  Buenos  Aires  and  south ;  the  Disciples  of  Christ, 
the  three  northern  provinces  in  the  direct  line  to  Paraguay. 
Buenos  Aires,  Rosario,  and  other  large  cities  would  naturally  be 
open  to  all  whose  strategy  seemed  wise  to  call  for  their  occupancy. 

The  same  kind  of  a  cooperative  program  in  education  would 
put  Argentina  where  she  ought  to  be  in  the  matter  of  evangelical 
schools.  It  is  hard  to  understand  how  so  many  organizations 
that  have  always  stood  for  educational  work  in  other  fields  have 
failed  to  establish  it  in  Argentina.  The  Government  has  done 
more  in  Argentina  than  in  any  other  Latin-American  country  for 
education,  but  even  in  Buenos  Aires  40  per  cent,  of  the  children 
are  out  of  school.  Fifty  per  cent,  of  the  Argentine  population  is 
illiterate.  High  prices  for  land,  difficult  government  regulations, 
competition  with  the  best  government  schools — none  of  these 
things  in  other  countries  has  kept  the  Church  from  establishing 
her  own  school  for  her  own  children  and  for  the  moral  inspira- 
tion of  other. educational  enterprises.  It  should  not  do  so  in 
Argentina.  But  if  the  evangelical  cause  is  to  catch  up  with  the 
average  in  other  Latin-American  countries,  to  say  nothing  of  do- 
ing what  the  others  recognize  as  their  obligation,  it  will  have  to 
be  through  a  well-coordinated  plan,  which  will  include  not  only 
union  institutions  but  the  assignment  to  each  of  the  organizations 
certain  special  schools  for  them  to  develop,  and  in  certain  dis- 
tricts. It  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  new  movement  of  the  Metho- 
dists and  Disciples  toward  a  union  educational  work  will  be  the 
forerunner  of  a  general  plan  which  shall  include  every  evangelical 

agencv  in  the  countrv. 

U)1 


As  already  stated,  only  the  Baptists  and  Methodists  have  theo- 
logical schools.  The  Disciples  of  Christ  have  already  begun  to 
cooperate  with  the  Methodists  in  their  school,  and  there  is  a  pro- 
posal for  the  Evangelical  Union  to  do  the  same.  The  Seminary 
has  no  professor  who  gives  all  his  time  to  the  work.  The  course 
is  in  great  need  of  strengthening,  and  the  students  should  be 
given  better  foundation  before  being  accepted.  When  the  new 
International  Union  Seminary  shall  be  established,  the  mission- 
aries are  in  favor  of  the  existing  seminary  in  Buenos  Aires  be- 
coming more  of  a  boarding  department  of  Ward  Institute  for 
prospective  ministerial  students,  and  a  Bible  School  for  those  not 
prepared  to  take  the  higher  training.  The  Missionary  Alliance 
Mission  has  recently  announced  its  intention  of  opening  a  Bible 
School  at  Azul.  There  will  always  be  a  need  of  such  schools  to 
train  the  humble  minister,  the  colporteur,  and  other  workers  whoi 
cannot  take  the  advanced  training  of  the  Seminary,  but  who  are" 
just  as  much  needed  in  the  economy  of  the  Kingdom  as  the  in- 
tellectual leader.  In  the  movement  now  being  promoted  in  all 
parts  of  Latin  America  for  well-organized  theological  seminaries 
with  stiff  course  of  study,  no  one  should  think  that  this  means  an 
elimination  of  the  training  school  for  the  more  humble  workers. 
Experience  shows,  however,  that  it  is  generally  exceedingly  dif- 
ficult for  the  two  to  be  conducted  together. 

Argentina  is  particularly  fortunate  in  material  for  a  strong  min- 
istry, through  the  great  number  of  young  men  who  have  inherited 
through  their  foreign  parentage  and  a  long  line  of  ancestry  the 
best  traditions  of  Protestantism.  On  meeting  the  present  minis- 
ters, one  is  immediately  impressed  with  the  great  number,  much 
larger  than  in  any  other  Latin-American  country,  who  come  from 
Protestant  stock,  generally  Lutheran,  Waldensian  or  Non-Con- 
formist. 

In  a  certain  sense  there  seem  to  be  few  problems  in  mission 
work  in  Argentina.  At  least,  few  outside  of  the  administrative 
problems  which  each  individual  organization  must  face  for  itself. 
One  receives  a  cordial  welcome  from  the  workers  and  is  invited 
to  speak  to  the  people  on  general  inspirational  themes.  But  he 
experiences  little  of  the  feeling  that  here  as  in  some  other  fields, 
workers  are  grappling  with  the  great  common  problems  of  terri- 
torial occupation,  of  social  service  and  community  betterment,  of 
union  evangelistic  effort,  of  adjustments  between  missionary  and 
state  education,  of  guiding  common  yearning  toward  a  united 
national  church,  etc. 

102 


While  Argentina  is  undoubtedly  the  most  progressive,  mate- 
rially speaking,  of  all  Latin-American  countries,  in  evangelical 
leadership,  it  is  the  least  aggressive.  Compared  with  Alexico, 
Cuba,  Porto  Rico,  Chile,  and  Brazil,  it  is  far  behind  in  evangelical 
education,  having  only  three  small  boarding  schools  with  a  total 
of  less  than  one  hundred  boarders.  Excluding  the  schools  con- 
ducted by  Mr.  ^Morris,  in  Buenos  Aires,  which  are  not  under  mis- 
sionary control  or  support,  there  is  no  evangelical  school  of  any- 
thing like  the  influence  that  several  such  schools  have  in  each  of 
the  other  countries  named.  There  is  no  evangelical  hospital. 
There  is  no  regularly  organized  institutional  work  conducted  by 
any  evangelical  church.  One  worker  said  to  me  that  the  church 
in  its  fifty  years  of  existence  cannot  be  said  to  have  produced 
any  native  leader,  outside  those  of  foreign  parentage,  educated 
in  foreign  lands,  whose  influence  extends  beyond  limited  evan- 
gelical circles.  There  has  been  no  cooperation  in  the  production 
of  literature,  in  planting  schools,  nor  in  the  delimitation  of  terri- 
tory. There  had  been,  until  the  Panama  Congress,  no  organiza- 
tion for  the  workers  of  the  country  except  an  afternoon  and  even- 
ing meeting  once  a  year,  which  could  only  hold  all  concerned  by 
having  it  strictly  understood  that  it  was  only  for  the  develop- 
ment of  the  spiritual  life,  with  no  discussions  allowed  on  comity 
or  practical  cooperation. 

The  only  effort  that  has  ever  been  made  to  get  representatives  of 
all  the  evangelical  forces  of  the  country  together  to  study  unitedly 
the  problems  of  the  churches  was  the  Regional  Conference  follow- 
ing Panama.  As  is  well  known,  that  conference  failed  to  receive 
the  cooperation  of  a  large  number  of  the  Christian  workers.  The 
reason  dated  back  to  the  period  of  organization  of  the  Panama 
Congress.  The  change  of  name  of  the  Congress  and  the  so-called 
Caldwell  resolution  was  the  provocation  of  a  protest  by  some  forty 
Argentina  workers,  w^ho  thought  they  saw  in  these  two  things  a 
"surrender  to  Rome."  These  brethren  were  further  stirred  by  be- 
lieving the  Organizing  Conmiittee  of  the  Congress  did  not  pay 
any  attention  to  their  protest,  as  the  letter  in  answer  to  it.  sent 
to  the  first  signer,  was  not  reported  to  the  others.  The  Depu- 
tation from  Panama  that  held  the  Regional  Conference  in  Buenos 
Aires  was  able  to  convince  some  of  the  protesters  that  the  Com- 
mittee on  Cooperation  was  evangelical  and  orthodox.  Others, 
however,  among  whom  were  some  of  the  most  influential  men  in 
the  evangelical  movement,  continued  their  opposition  with  full 
force.     The  Continuation-  Committee  of  the  Regional  Conference 

103 


was  only  able  to  perfect  its  organization  a  few  weeks  before  I 
arrived  in  Argentina.  The  committee  was  called  "Junta  Ezan- 
gelica  Central"  (Central  Evangelical  Council)  instead  of  the  com- 
mon name  Committee  on  Cooperation  adopted  by  other  Regional 
Committees,  hoping  to  make  the  way  easier  for  some  to  enter.  At 
least  four  societies  had  refused  to  elect  members  at  th  time  of 
my  arrival  at  Buenos  Aires,  and  there  was  at  the  time  of  the 
writer's  visit  still  a  good  deal  of  confusion  about  the  whole  matter. 
The  president  of  the  English-Speaking  Pastor's  Association  of 
Buenos  Aires  invited  the  Christian  workers  of  the  city  to  meet 
me  at^the  Scotch  Church.  After  my  address  we  had  a  discussion 
as  to  the  possibility  of  Argentina  doing  what  I  had  told  them 
was  planned  in  Chile,  Mexico,  Cuba  and  Porto  Rico,  for  a  union 
depository  for  Christian  literature.  Those  present  seemed  to 
favor  the  matter.  While  some  of  the  objectors  had  considered 
it  wise  to  stay  away  from  the  meeting,  lest  it  be  considered  that 
they  were  endorsing  Panama,  yet  all  but  one  of  the  org^aniza- 
tions  that  had  not  yet  appointed  representatives  on  the  Coopera- 
tion Committee  were  represented.  The  question  naturally  arose 
as  to  through  what  agency  the  plan  for  a  union  depository  might 
be  developed.  This  brought  out  a  general  discussion  of  all  the 
past  differences  in  regard  to  Panama.  Several  stated  that  they 
had  no  further  objections  to  cooperating  since  they  had  learned 
that  their  protest  sent  to  New  York  had  been  given  due  consider- 
ation. Others  that  if  they  could  have  assurance  that  "Bulletin 
Eour"  was  not  still  binding,  they  would  be  ready  for  a  forward 
movement ;  at  least  one  other  maintained  that  Panama  was  the 
most  colossal  mistake,  the  most  retrogressive  movement  ever  made 
in  Latin  America,  and  the  further  missionaries  stayed  away  from 
it  the  better  off  they  would  be.  I  assured  them  that  the  Commit- 
tee on  Cooperation  had  no  special  schemes  to  foster,  that  it  only 
pushed  those  part  of  the  findings  of  the  Panama  Congress  that 
appealed  to  the  best  judgment  of  Missionaries  and  Boards.  That 
the  whole  Congress  was  only  an  incident  (though  a  large  one) 
in  the  cooperative  movement  in  Latin  America,  and  that  if  it 
would  help  any  one's  conscience  to  leave  out  references  to  Pan- 
ama in  their  constitution  the  Central  Committee  would  make  no 
objections.  Between  that  time  and  the  meeting  of  the  "Junta 
Ez'angelica  Central,"  its  executive  committee  agreed  to  change  the 
constitution,  leaving  out  references  to  the  Panama  Congress,  but 
keeping  in  all  that  was  essential  to  an  efficient  committee  on  co- 
operation.   So  at  the  meeting  of  the  Junta,  July  25-26,  there  were 

104 


representatives  present  or  excuses  sent  for  all  evangelical  forces 
in  the  Republic,  so  far  as  I  know,  with  the  exception  of  the 
Southern  Baptists,  the  Plymouth  Brethren,  the  American  Breth- 
ren, and  the  Missionary  Alliance.  The  latter  two  have  no  work 
near  Buenos  Aires,  and  I  am  afraid  did  not  receive  the  invitation 
in  time  to  arrange  for  representation. 

A  very  fine  spirit  prevailed  during  the  two  days'  session  of  the 
Committee,  and  for  the  first  time  there  was  a  frank  exchange  of 
ideas  and  a  definite  planning  for  certain  cooperative  enterprises. 
A  number  of  times  during  the  sessions  the  presence  of  the  Spirit 
was  specially  manifested.  Over  and  over  again  the  earnest  desire 
for  a  forward  movement,  with  all  united,  was  expressed.  One 
worker  said  that  he  spoke  for  many  when  he  referred  to  the  great 
lack  of  fellowship  in  the  past ;  that  sometimes  it  had  so  discour- 
aged him  that  he  was  on  the  point  of  giving  up  the  ministry  ;  that 
there  sat  a  brother  worker  who  just  announced  that  he  had  been 
in  his  same  city  for  twelve  years,  and  to-day  was  the  first  time 
they  had  ever  met ;  that  such  conditions  must  not  continue. 

The  principal  discussion  of  the  first  day  was  concerning  the 
constitution  of  the  new  organization,  and  the  general  principles 
of  cooperation.  I  was  given  opportunity  to  explain  at  length  the 
work  of  the  Central  Committee  and  the  principles  and  methods 
of  cooperation,  as  worked  out  on  other  mission  fields.  This  was 
the  more  necessary  in  Argentina,  for  it  had  fewer  representatives 
at  Panama  than  any  other  country  where  cooperating  committees 
were  organized.  There  is  only  one  man  on  the  Committee  who 
was  at  the  Congress.  There  was  unanimous  agreement  to  the 
constitution  as  finally  adopted. 

The  second  day  was  given  to  discussion  of  cooperative  plans 
in  literature,  evangelization  and  education.  It  was  decided  to 
establish  a  union  book  depository,  with  a  sales  room  in  the  central 
part  of  Buenos  Aires.  The  project  was  received  with  great  en- 
thusiasm. The  following  will,  no  doubt,  participate,  taking  shares 
more  or  less  in  proportion  to  the  amount  of  their  work.  The 
Methodist  Episcopal,  Southern  Baptists,  Evangelical  Union.  Dis- 
ciples, Anglicans,  Scotch  Presbyterian,  Y.  ]M.  C.  A.,  Y.  W.  C.  A., 
American  Bible  Society,  Salvation  Arniy.  the  Gospel  Press. 

The  Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Latin  America  is  asked  to 
take  a  certain  number  of  shares,  and  individuals  will  be  solicited. 
If  Boards  will  back  the  enterprise,  it  will  not  only  do  much  for 
the  distribution  of  Christian  literature  but  be  the  means  of  draw- 
ing the  workers   together  along  other  lines   as  well.     What  is 

105 


needed  is  some  practical  demonstration  of  cooperation  that  will 
show  that  united  eft'ort  does  not  mean  either  sacrifice  of  prin- 
ciples, or  the  other  man  always  getting  the  best  of  you.  The  most 
lamentable  thing  about  the  work  in  Argentina  is  the  suspicion 
with  which  dififerent  brethren  regard  one  another.  By  trusting 
one  another  in  some  cooperative  enterprise  like  the  proposed  book 
store,  that  faith  in  one's  fellow-workers,  always  so  necessary,  will 
be  developed. 

The  matter  of  the  union  of  some  of  the  papers,  especially  the 
ones  published  by  the  Methodist  Episcopal  and  the  Evangelical 
Union,  which  is  already  interdenominational,  was  discussed,  as 
well  as  the  uniting  of  several  presses.  But  the  time  is  evidently 
not  ripe  for  this.  There  are  eighteen  evangelical  papers  published 
in  the  Argentine.     There  are  six  different  hymn  books  in  use. 

Mr.  Torre,  of  the  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society,  made  a 
profound  impression  by  his  report  of  the  union  evangelistic 
services  he  attended  in  Sao  Paulo,  Brazil.  A  committee  was  ap- 
pointed to  study  the  C[uestion  of  organizing  such  in  Buenos  Aires 
and  other  cities.  The  time  is  ripe  for  such  an  effort  and  it  would 
bring  great  blessing  to  the  churches. 

Dr.  Browning,  our  new  educational  secretary,  was  present,  and 
rendered  invaluable  aid  in  the  discussions.  His  work  was  ex- 
plained and  he  was  given  a  hearty  welcome  by  the  committee. 
The  need  of  better  trained  ministers  was  emphasized  by  him,  and 
the  Junta  unanimously  passed  a  resolution  endorsing  the  proposed 
International  Faculty  of  Theology  and  Social  Sciences. 

It  is  pleasant  to  report  that  in  spite  of  the  difficulties  of  co- 
operation among  the  force  in  general,  during  my  visit  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopals  and  Disciples  of  Christ  come  into  very  close 
unity  in  their  educational  program  and  the  occupation  of  terri- 
tory. It  will  be  remembered  that  some  time  ago  the  Disciples 
of  Christ  brought  the  matter  of  extending  their  work  into  the 
provinces  of  Entre  Rios,  Corrientes  and  Misiones,  Argentina,  and 
into  Paraguay  before  the  Committee  on  Cooperation,  and  that  the 
Committee  left  it  to  them  and  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Board,  who 
had  previously  occupied  this  territory,  to  adjust.  At  a  meeting 
of  the  two  missions,  on  July  lo,  the  Methodists  magnanimously 
agreed  to  cede  all  their  rights  to  territory  in  the  Republic  of  Para- 
guay and  in  the  provinces  of  Corrientes,  Misiones,  and  Entre 
Rios,  with  the  exception  of  the  narrow  strip  along  the  Uruguay 
River  and  International  railroad  up  to  Concordia.  This  latter 
strip  was  only  retained  because  of  its  close  proximity  to  their 
work  in  Uruguav. 

106 


Acting  on  an  invitation  of  Bishop  Oldham,  who  unfortunately 
was  not  in  Argentina  at  the  time  of  my  visit,  these  two  missions 
also  considered  the  question  of  uniting  in  the  development  of- 
Ward  Institute,  a  Methodist  day  and  boarding  school  that  is  in 
the  beginning  of  its  development.  The  two  missions  decided  to 
recommend  to  their  Board  a  joint  financial  and  teaching  respon- 
sibility in  the  development  of  the  school  into  a  first-class  institu- 
tion that  will  be  a  feeder  for  the  Theological  Seminary,  and  also 
provide  a  primary  and  secondary  education  for  children  of  church 
members  and  the  general  public.  It  is  hoped  that  the  two  Boards 
will  take  up  the  work  of  making  this  a  representative  institution 
for  evangelical  education  in  the  greatest  city  in  Latin  America. 
The  Disciples  ai  Christ  are  already  cooperating  in  the  Institute 
i.nd  the  Ministerial  Training  School  to  the  extent  of  furnishing 
one  teacher.  They  have  just  voted  to  take  their  full  half  share  in 
the  Ward  Institute.  A  temporary  board  of  control,  consisting 
of  the  foreign  missionaries  of  the  two  Boards  teaching  in  the 
Ward  Institute  and  one  other  representative  from  each  mission, 
was  formed  to  advise  with  the  faculty  until  the  Boards  should 
appoint  a  permanent  committee. 

The  last  interview  1  had  before  leaving  Buenos  Aires  was  with 
the  University  professor,  to  whom  I  referred  in  the  opening  chap- 
ter as  delivering  lectures  on  New  England  Protestant  life  and  de- 
siring to  organize  a  religious  congress  to  face  the  moral  needs 
of  Argentina. 

This  professor's  open  search  for  spiritual  truth  for  himself  and 
his  people  was  not  unlike  what  I  found  in  other  leaders  of  in- 
tellectual life  in  Argentina.  But  they  are  not  aware  that  the 
Evangelical  Church  has  anything  for  them.  I  left  on  the  river 
steamer  for  Asuncion,  with  the  appeal  of  these  men  heavy  on  my 
heart.  Is  not  the  Gospel  of  Christ  for  them  also?  Will  not  the 
Evangelical  Church  of  Argentina  enlarge  its  program,  and  so 
present  Christ  to  them,  as  well  as  to  the  humbler  classes,  that  He 
will  be  to  them  the  fairest  among  ten  thousand,  the  One  alto- 
gether lovely  ? 

With  such  intellectual  leaders,  with  many  philantropic  agencies, 
with  publications  like  El  Mundo  Ar.iicntiiio,  which  gives  weekly 
selections  from  the  Scriptures,  with  many  other  organizations  and 
individuals  who  have  the  spiritual  interests  of  their  country  at 
heart,  the  Evangelical  Church  could  "show  the  way  of  the  Lord 
more  perfectly."  There  are  now  a  few  men  within  the  circle 
of  Argentine  evangelical  workers  who  are  well  qualified  for  such 

107 


leadership,  and  should  be  set  aside  for  it.  Then  mission  boards, 
after  earnestly  facing  the  question  of  the  best  way  to  enlarge 
their  work  to  serve  the  whole  nation  and  reach  every  class,  should 
send  other  men  who  are  specially  trained  for  sifch  service. 

The  call  of  Argentina  is  not  the  plaintive  call  of  Ecuador  or 
the  Congo.  But  it  is  no  less  imperative.  South  America  cannot 
be  won  unless  its  most  progressive  nation  is  won.  A  progressive 
nation  with  a  complex  and  diversified  life  cannot  be  won  with- 
out an  inclusive  program  that  will  project  the  Gospel  into  every 
department  of  that  life.  At  least  one  representative  church  build- 
ing, accompanied  by  an  educational  or  institutional  work  sufficient 
to  compel  the  attention  of  the  general  community,  should  be 
established  without  delay  in  the  cities  of  Rosario,  Alendoza,  Cor- 
dova, Tucuman,  Santa  Fe,  Parana,  La  Plata  and  Bahia  Blanca. 
In  Buenos  Aires  a  like  program  should  be  carried  out  in  the  sev- 
eral different  parts  of  the  city,  located  according  to  an  agreement 
among  the  forces  that  will  provide  for  every  section  being  reached 
with  an  outstanding-  Christian  service. 


108 


XI.    URUGUAY 

Uruguay  js  the  smallest  of  the  South  American  countries,  but 
probably  the  most  advanced  intellectually.  One-third  of  its  pop- 
ulation is  found  in  the  city  of  ^lontevideo  (population  400,000), 
which  is  considered  by  many  as  the  greatest  center  of  intellectual 
life  in  South  America.  Not  only  for  this  reason,  but  because  it  is* 
a  small  country,  free  from  international  jealousies,  much  the 
same  as  Switzerland  is  in  Europe,  it  has  become  the  home  of  a 
number  of  international  organizations,  and  a  favorite  center  for 
holding  international  conferences.  It  is  the  only  place  on  which 
the  International  Student  Organization  of  South  America  could 
agree  upon  as  headquarters.  A  young  priest  in  Peru  told  me  that 
he  as  just  returning  from  his  advanced  Theological  Course  in 
]\Iontevideo,  where  the  Salesian  Fathers  were  sending  their  men 
from  all  parts  of  the  continent  for  advanced  training.  The  Con- 
tinental Committee  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association, 
after  careful  investigations,  have  located  their  headquarters  in 
Montevideo, — as  have  several  other  organizations. 

The  open  mind  prevails  in  a  peculiar  way  in  Uruguay.  A  good 
deal  of  social  legislation  has  been  recently  passed.  There  is  meet- 
ing at  present  a  constitutional  convention  to  revise  the  constitu- 
tion so  as  to  give  a  larger  influence  to  modern  democratic  life. 
Among  the  many  reforms  which  this  constitution  is  expected  to 
provide  is  the  separation  of  Church  and  State.  The  government 
supports  the  only  approach  to  a  Woman's  University  that  I  know 
in  Latin  America. 

Evangelical  work  probably  has  a  larger  influence  in  Monte- 
video, and  it  has  been  suggested  as  the  best  place  for  the  inter- 
Memorial  Church  there  is  the  best  Protestant  church  building  in 
South  America,  and  probably  has  the  highest  intellectual  average 
in  its  membership,  which  includes  University  Professors,  Govern- 
ment officers  and  other  leading  citizens.  For  these  reasons  Dr. 
Webster  E.  Browning,  recently  elected  by  our  Committee  Educa- 
tional Secretary  for  South  America,  has  been  located  in  Monte- 
video than  in  any  other  city  in  Latin  America.  The  ^NlcCabe 
national  Union  Theological   Seminary. 

Dr.  Browning,  who  has  lived  in  Chile  for  more  than  twenty 
years,  was  at  first  somewhat  doubtful  about  Montevideo's  being 
the  best  place  for  his  center,  but  after  several  months'  residence 

109 


there  he  is  entirely  convinced  that  it  is  the  best  place  for  his 
headquarters.  In  two  days'  time  he  can  reach  Santiago,  Chile; 
in  one  day  he  can  reach  Southern  Brazil;  in  a  night  he  is  in 
Buenos  Aires ;  in  two  days  in  Paraguay ;  and  when  the  small  gap 
is  completed  on  the  Argentine-Bolivian  Railway,  he  can  reach 
LaPaz  in  five  days.  He  and  his  family  in  their  five  months'  resi- 
dence have  already  become  identified  not  only  with  the  evangelical 
forces,  but  the  general  intellectual  life  of  Montevideo. 

This  is  as  good  a  place  as  any  to  speak  of  the  work  of  our 
Educational  Secretary.  The  recommendation  for  his  appointment 
M^as  made  by  the  Deputation  holding  the  Regional  Conferences 
in  South  America.  His  work  was  outlined  by  our  Committee  as 
follows : 

"To  study  carefully  the  existing  evangelical  schools,  their  curricula, 
influence  on  the  native  church  and  community,  and  their  relationship 
to  government  education;  this  to  be  done  as  far  as  possible  by  per- 
sonal visitation  of  schools.  To  help  these  schools,  as  far  as  they  may 
whole-heartedly  desire  such  help,  •  in  improving  each  of  the  above 
named  points;  to  help  standardize  the  curricula  of  mission  schools  in 
a  given  country,  relating  them  in  a  helpful  way  to  one  another  and 
to  the  government  schools;  to  encourage  improvement  in  the  teaching 
forces  by  means  of  educational  conferences,  private  study,  etc.;  to  aid 
in  the  federation  of  mission  schools  in  certain  districts;  to  encourage 
union  schools  where  desirable;  to  give  special  attention  to  union 
educational  enterprises  fostered  by  the  Committee  on  Cooperation; 
to  help  evangelical  schools  to  secure  the  best  teachers;  and  to  seek 
to  influence  government  schools  as  to  the  moral  purpose  of  education 
as  viewed  by  our  Christian  religion." 

Dr.  Browning  met  me  in  LaPaz,  and  we  were  together  part 
of  the  time  in  Chile,  and  Argentina,  and  for  all  the  trip  in  Uru- 
guay, Paraguay  and  Brazil.  The  fellowship  with  him  meant  more 
than  is  jiossible  to  express,  and  his  experience  as  the  Director  of 
the  Institute  Ingles  in  Santiago,  made  his  counsel  of  special  help 
in  dealing  with  problems  of  cooperation,  especially  those  of  edu- 
cation. 

The  beginning  of  such  a  work  as  we  had  in  view  for  him  is 
naturally  difficult,  and  details  are  hard  to  define,  but  during  our 
travels  the  importance  of  his  work  was  greatly  emphasized,  and 
we  were  able  to  see  with  ever-increasing  clarity  just  what  his 
program  should  be.  An  illustration  of  his  work  is  his  visit  to 
LaPaz  and  Lima  with  Bishop  Oldham  when  the  Bishop  requested 
him  to  especially  examine  their  educational  situation  in  these  cities 
and  recommend  to  him  the  best  solution  of  their  problem.  He 
performed  this  service  in  a  way  highly  satisfactory  to  the  Bishop. 

110 


In  the  near  future  he  will  be  occupied  with  the  organization  of 
an  evangelical  Teachers'  Institute  for  Argentina,  Uruguay  and 
Southern  Brazil,  aiding  Ward  Institute  in  the  new  program  as 
planned  by  a  union  of  the  Methodists  and  Disciples  in  that  in- 
stitution, helping  the  Girls'  School  in  Montevideo  in  its  new  build- 
ing enterprise  and  giving  assistance  to  the  organization  of  the 
International  Union  Theological  Seminary.  He  can  be  called  at 
any  time  by  any  mission  school  or  mission  board  to  help  in  the 
solution  of  educational  problems. 

All  during  our  trip  he  was  busy  helping  the  teachers  in  the  dif- 
ferent missionary  schools  in  the  solution  of  their  problems.  One 
looks  forward  with  joy  to  the  new  element  of  strength  that  he 
will  bring  to  the  evangelical  schools  and  to  the  whole  cooperative 
work  in  South  America. 

In  view  of  the  progress  made  in  reaching  the  intellectual 
classes,  the  following  notes  on  a  meeting  held  with  the  workers 
in  Montevideo  are  interesting : 

"Educated  Latin  Americans  are  not  rejecting  religion,  but  they 
are  rejecting  the  dogmatic  presentation  of  it.  Great  national  lead- 
ers in  Uruguay  recognize  the  necessity  of  a  religious  basis  in  life. 
Roman  Catholicism  does  not  disturb  us.  Its  leaders  are  not  suffi- 
ciently strong  for  their  persectltion  to  amount  to  anything.  A 
deed  of  helpfulness  does  a  great  deal  more  to  'promote  the  evan- 
gelical cause  than  most  of  our  sermons  do. 

"One  of  our  pastors  has  succeeded  in  bringing  the  intellectual 
classes  to  the  Church.  He  has  preached  not  dogmatism,  but  life, 
and  it  has  appealed  to  the  cultured  people  of  the  city.  Others 
have  preached  to  believers,  and  while  they  have  built  up  these  be- 
lievers, they  have  not  reached  the  outsider.  Some  of  our  oft- 
repeated  religious  formulas  mean  nothing  to  the  man  outside  the 
Church.  We  should  use  lectures  in  public  places  more,  for  a 
Latin  considers  that  he  is  compromising  himself  in  entering  into  a 
form  of  worship  with  the  Protestant,  but  he  is  willing  to  listen 
to  a  lecture. 

"The  missionary  must  be  intellectually  equipped  to  do  more 
than  merely  refer  to  the  authority  of  the  Bible.  For  the  edu- 
cated Latin  does  not  recognize  its  authority,  and  considers  our 
constant  quoting  of  it  as  an  attempt  to  prove  our  case  by  refer- 
ence to  our  own  hypothesis.  A  program  of  community  service 
can  always  secure  his  support,  and  if  the  Protestant  Church  does 
not  present  its  plea  in  such  a  manner  as  to  identify  itself  with 

111 


this  spirit  of  service,  it  can  hope  for  Httle  progress  among  the  in- 
tellectual leaders  of  the  nation," 

The  Methodist  Episcopals  and  Southern  Baptists  are  the  two 
sufficient  missionary  forces  in  Uruguay.  The  Waldensian  Col- 
ony forms  a  strong  Protestant  influence.  A  number  of  their 
young  men  have  graduated  from  the  National  University,  and  no 
doubt  the  high-grade  theological  seminary  like  the  one  planned 
for  Montevideo  will  find  among  these  youth  of  strong  evangeli- 
cal traditions  a  number  of  students. 


112 


XII.    PARAGUAY 

A  journey  from  Buenos  Aires,  up  the  river  Parana  a  thousand 
miles,  through  Northern  Argentina  and  Paraguay  to  La  Asun- 
cion, and  down  through  the  heart  of  the  Republic  to  the  Argen- 
tine border  by  rail,  is  a  unique  experience  in  travel.     This  trip 
developed  into  the  visit  of  a  deputation,  instead  of  that  of  an 
individual.     Dr.  W.  E.  Browning,  Educational   Secretary  of  the 
Committee  on  Cooperation,  Rev.  Tolbert  F.  Reavis  and  Rev. 
Clement  M.  Morton,  of  the  Disciples  Mission  Board,  joined  me, 
making  what   is  probably  the  most   representative   company  of 
Protestant  Christian  workers  that  ever  visited  faraway  Paraguay 
to  investigate  the  problem  of  bettering  its  spiritual  life.     From 
letters  of  introduction  which  Dr.  Browning  carried  to  ex-Presi- 
dent Schaerer  and  from  my  acquaintanceship  with  several  promi- 
nent citizens  whom  I  had  met  at  the  Pan-American  Scientific  Con- 
gress at  Washington,  we  were  immediately  received  as  practically 
the  guests  of  the  Government.    The  General  Director  of  Primary 
Instruction  was  designated  to  attend  us  during  our  visit.     We 
were  received  in  unhurried  audience  by  the  President  of  the  Re- 
public, by  the  Minister  of  Foreign  Relations,  by  the  Minister  of 
Public  Instruction  and  Worship,  and  by  other  prominent  officers 
and  citizens.    The  wonderful  archives  of  State,  rich  in  rare  manu- 
scripts and  valuable  historic  documents,   found  only  here,  were 
opened  to  us.     A  choice  collection  of  books  and  pamphlets  on 
Paraguay  was  made  for  us  without  cost.     Official  automobiles 
were  placed  at  our  disposal.    Had  we  been  special  representatives 
with  plenipotentiary  powers  from  the  United  States  Government 
we  could  have  received  no  more  careful  attention.     Our  hearty 
reception  by  the  Paraguayans  was  no  doubt  helped  by  the  way 
our  own  Minister,  the  Hon.  Daniel  F.  Mooney — a  good  Ohio 
Christian  gentleman — welcomed  us.     Among  his  many  attentions 
w^as  a  breakfast  at  the  Embassy,  at  which  were  present  a  unique 
combination  of  cabinet  ministers,  educationalists,  and  representa- 
tives  of   P,rotestant   Christianity  in   Asuncion  consisting  of  the 
Uruguayan  Captain  of  the  Salvation  Army  and  Mr.  J.  A.  Davis, 
a  recently  arrived  Independent  missionary.     From  the  fellowship 
at  this  breakfast  and  on  other  occasions,  I  took  our  warm  recep- 
tion to  signify  a  real  desire  which  the  better  elements  of  Para- 
guay— so  long  isolated  from  the  rest  of  the  world — felt  for  help- 

113 


ful  intercourse  with  the.  outside  world,  and  especially  with  the 
United  States. 

The  following  extracts  from  an  editorial  in  El  Diario,  the  lead- 
ing- daily  of  Asuncion,  express  this  hunger,  wdiich  is  really 
pathetic  in  its  intensity : 

"There  has  just  visited  our  country  a  private  mission  of  distinguished 
North  American  educationalists  who,  in  representation  of  different  uni- 
versities and  educational  institutions  of  that  country,  are  studying  the 
South  American  countries,  their  systems  and  organization,  at  the  same 
time  that  they  are  collecting  other  data  no  less  interesting,  relating  to 
the  general  culture,  history  and  social  conditions,  present  and   future. 

"As  was  well  said  by  one  of  our  distinguished  guests,  these  countries, 
and  Paraguay  especially,  a  new  and  little  known  country,  which  offers 
a  vast  field  of  action  to  progressive  initiation,  are  not  only  beginning  to 
awaken  a  very  live  discussion  and  interest  among  the  business  men,  but 
also  among  the  students,  professors  and  intellectuals  who,  with  relative 
frequency,  visit  from  time  to  time  these  places  and  study  them.  The 
work  of  spontaneous  and  authorized  propaganda  that  these  emissaries  of 
North  American  culture  are  making,  and  the  drawing  together  to  which 
they  are  contributing  by  the  double  relationship  of  material  and  intel- 
lectual exchange,  cannot  be  less  than  beneficent  and  helpful  in  all  ways. 

"On  comparing  their  personal  experiences  with  their  knowledge,  either 
resulting  in  rectifying  or  amplifying  this,  such  students  are  placed  in  a 
condition  to  lend  invaluable  and  disinterested  service  to  the  common 
cause  of  the  American  peoples,  and  there  is  no  doujjt  but  that  they  wiil 
have  a  profound  influence  on  directing  toward  us  a  great  reserve  of 
energy  and  of  useful  factors  which  we  so  much  lack  in  order  to  push 
the   development   of   these   countries. 

"The  halls  and  centers  of  culture  of  the  United  States  are  a  gigantic 
workshop  of  actual  activity  where  there  is  operating  one  of  the  greatest 
transformations  destined  to  influence  the  progress  of  the  whole  continent. 
For  over  us  are  poured  the  treasures,  not  only  of  her  pockets,  her  work- 
benches and  the  commerce  of  her  multi-millionaires  called  to  excloit  our 
natural  riches,  but  also  the  spiritual  treasure  and  the  high-grade  educa- 
tion of  her  universities  and  colleges,  molders  of  character,  real  human 
factories  productive  of  a  sane  and  strong  race,  cultured  and  moral. 

"We  welcome,  then,  these  messengers  representing  the  friendshin  and 
love  of  the  North  American  educationalists  who,  with  methodic  labor, 
patiently  and  silently,  are  also  efiicient  collaborators  in  our  own  progress." 

Because  so  little  is  known  of  Paraguay,  it  may  be  helpful  to 
refer  with  some  detail  to  its  past  and  present. 

History 

More  than  any  other  country  I  know,  is  the  understanding  of 
the  past  of  Paraguay  necessary  to  appreciate  the  present.  Asun- 
cion, the  capital,  was  destroyed,  and  the  country  almost  depopu- 
lated a  half  century  ago.     What  one  now  sees  is  practically  the 

114 


development  from  1870.  In  Spanish  colonial  history,  Asuncion, 
founded  in  1537,  forty-three  years  before  Buenos  Aires,  was,  dur- 
ing three  centuries,  recognized  as  a  most  important  center,  Para- 
guay being  the  site  of  the  famous  Jesuit  Missions.  In  181 1  inde- 
pendence from  Spain  was  declared.  Soon  afterward  Dr.  Francia 
became  Dictator,  and  ruled  with  the  iron  hand  of  despotism  till 
1840.  He  refused  to  have  relations  with  the  outside  world,  even 
closing  the  Paraguay  River  to  international  traflfic.  His  subjects 
were  only  allowed  to  refer  to  him  as  "El  Supremo,"*  and  when 
he  appeared  on  the  streets  every  one  else  had  to  retire  to  their 
homes  and  close  their  doors.  Carlyle  calls  him  one  of  the  great- 
est men  of  his  age. 

Francia  was  succeeded  by  Lopez  the  First,  who  ruled  in  a 
paternal  manner,  establishing  relations  with  the  outside  world. 
He  constructed  the  first  railroad  and  telegraph  line  in  South 
America.  At  his  death,  in  1862,  he  was  succeeded  by  his  son, 
the  second  Lopez,  who  was  obsessed  with  the  idea  that  Paraguay 
should  dominate  South  America.  It  required  the  combined  forces 
of  Brazil,  Argentina  and  Uruguay,  fighting  for  six  years  one  of 
the  bloodiest  wars  in  history,  to  conquer  Paraguay.  This  was  only 
accomplished  after  the  population  had 'been  reduced  from  about 
1,000,000  to  less  than  300,000 — only  about  one-tenth  of  the  sur- 
vivors being  men.  This  meant  practically  the  beginning  anew  of 
the  building  of  the  nation.  This  must  be  always  kept  in  mind 
when  we  find  the  country  so  far  behind  in  its  physicaland  spir- 
itual development.    ' 

The  National  Resources 

With  such  a  climate,  practically  every  product  of  the  torrid 
and  lower  temperate  zones  is  easily  produced.  Oranges  are 
grown  with  less  effort  and  risk  in  Paraguay  than  in  any  country 
in  the  world.  Enough  oranges  rot  on  the  ground  every  year  to 
pay  the  national  debt.  The  highest  average  per  acre  of  cotton 
produced  anywhere  in  the  world  is  in  Paraguay.  And  yet  this 
crop  is  practically  undeveloped.  The  yerba  mate,  or  Para- 
guayan tea,  is  famous  the  world  over.  As  for  grazing  lands,  an 
old  cattleman  from  Texas  assured  us  nature  complies  with  prac- 
tically every  need.    The  forests  are  filled  with  valuable  timber. 

In  the  midst  of  such  natural  luxury,  the  people  have  been  con- 
tented to  live  without   further  exertion  than   was   necessary  to 


*See  the  fascinating  romance  "El  Supremo.'"  liy  Edward  Lucas  White, 
niililished  in  1916. 

115 


meet  their  own  needs.  Unsettled  political  conditions  have  kept 
out  foreign  capital.  But  now,  with  signs  of  a  stable  government, 
foreign  capital,  especially  North  American,  is  beginning  to  in- 
vest largely.  A  syndicate,  composed  of  the  Armours,  the  Sulz- 
bergers  and  other  packing  companies,  has  recently  bought  some 
850,000  acres  of  land  on  the  Paraguay  River  near  Asuncion, 
planning  to  stock  the  property  with  cattle  and  to  put  in  a  large 
packing  house  and  tannery.  For  the  latter,  the  famous  "que- 
bracho" wood  of  Paraguay,  now  considered  the  best  known  ma- 
terial for  this  purpose,  will  be  used. 

In  estimating  the  natural  resources  of  this  country,  its  won- 
derful river  system,  making  navigation  easy  in  practically  every 
part  of  the  country,  cannot  be  too  strongly  emphasized.  With  a 
stable  government,  a  healthy  immigration,  and  the  aid  of  foreign 
capital  and  modern  methods,  the  most  enthusiastic  friend  of  Par- 
aguay would  hesitate  to  prophesy  all  the  possibilities  for  its  ma- 
terial development. 

At  present,  however,  Paraguay  is  very  poor.  Her  currency 
consists  only  of  paper  money,  and  it  takes  a  dollar  of  it  to  buy 
a  daily  paper,  two  and  a  half  to  ride  on  a  tram,  five  for  a  cup 
of  tea,  and  seventy  dollars  for  an  hour's  ride  in  the  recently 
imported  Fords!  Hotel  rates  are  from  $100  to  $150  a  day,  and 
a  pair  of  shoes  costs  around  $400.  Exchange  jumps  up  and 
down  rapidly.  When  we  were  there  it  figured  out  a  little  less 
than  three  cents  gold  to  one  peso  paper. 

The  exports  and  imports  of  the  year  1912  were  $9,586,333,  as 
compared  with  $56,852,233  of  Bolivia,  the  only  other  inland  re- 
public of  South  America,  and  $841,002,814  of  Argentina,  the  first 
country  of  the  continent  in  foreign  trade. 

At  present  there  are  469  kilometers  of  railroad  in  Paraguay. 
Plans  call  for  the  building  of  a  line  from  Borjas  to  Iguazu  Falls, 
on  the  Brazilian  border,  to  connect  with  the  line  from  Sao  Paulo. 
There  is  another  line  to  run  north  to  connect  with  the  Brazilian 
line  direct  to  Rio  de  Janeiro.  In  fact,  it  is  hard  to  see  how  Para- 
guay, in  the  heart  of  the  continent,  can  help  becoming  the  cross- 
road for  many  great  international  highways. 

The  Population 

There  has  been  no  reliable  census  taken  recently,  but  the  best 
estimates  places  the  population  at  present  at  about  one  million. 
A  Paraguayan  author,  speaking  of  the  recuperative  powers  of 
Paraguay's  population,  refers  to  "the  natural  family,  the  product 

116 


of  unions  which  do  not  acknowledge  more  laws  for  their  forma- 
tion than  that  of  the  attraction  of  the  sexes — free  love,  in  short, 
such  as  was  practiced  in  the  country  districts  of  Paraguay  before, 
and  much  more  after,  the  war.  If  to  this  we  add  the  quality  of 
the  climate,  the  lack  of  worry  which  the  dedication  to  business 
and  the  desire  for  luxury  bring,  the  complete  absence,  in  the  in- 
terior, of  social  distinctions,  and  the  promiscuity  in  which  live 
the  families,  ahvays  large,  of  the  country  districts,  there  will  be 
found  a  satisfactory  explanation  why  Paraguay,  practically  with- 
out immigration,  grew  from  94.000  people  in  1788  to  950,000  in 
1865:  and  how  from  300,000  at  the  end  of  the  war  in  1870  we 
are  able  now  to  register  1,000,000." 

The  results  of  war,  with  the  unbalancing  of  the  sexes,  is  seen 
in  the  number  of  illegitimate  births.  The  census  of  1910  shows 
6,038  legitimate  births  and  8,387  illegitimate;  that  of  1913,  6,739 
legitimate  and  9,638  illegitimate.  A  priest  told  me  that  about 
80  per  cent,  of  the  children  presented  for  baptism  in  his  parish 
were  illegitimate.  A  Salvation  Army  officer  said  that  he  finds 
young  men  converts  willing  to  give  up  drink,  gambling  and  other 
vices,  but  when  the  social  sin  is  touched,  they  refuse  to  go  further. 
He  believes  that  the  race  is  degenerating,  and  unless  something 
can  be  done  toward  social  purity,  there  is  little  hope  for  the  de- 
velopment of  a  strong  nation.  Undoubtedly  immigration  of  the 
right  kind  would  be  a  great  source  of  strength. 

The  people  of  Paraguay  are  peculiarly  attractive,  "siinpatico," 
wath  the  open  smile  and  warm  hospitality  generated  by  a  be- 
nignant climate,  in  spite  of  suffering  and  poverty.  They  create 
the  kind  of  atmosphere  that,  once  breathed,  will  ahvays  attract 
again,  no  matter  how  far  one  wanders.  Here  there  is  no  preju- 
dice against  the  foreigner,  but  on  the  other  hand,  every  desire  to 
have  him  feel  at  home.  The  laws  of  the  country  are  framed  to 
give  him  every  protection.  Not  even  the  question  of  religion 
seems  to  be  raised  in  the  extending  of  a  hearty  welcome. 

Paraguay  is  bilingual.  The  official  language  is  Spanish,  but 
practically  every  one,  from  the  President  down,  speaks  Guarani, 
and  for  the  great  majority  it  is  the  language  of  the  home.  As 
this  Indian  language  has  no  terms  for  abstract  ideas,  it  is  not  im- 
probable that  its  use  is  detrimental  to  the  development  of  the 
highest  ambitions  among  the  people.  It  is  not  recommended  that 
foreigners  entering  the  country  learn  Guarani.  The  Jesuits  re- 
duced the  Guarani  to  writing,  printed  books  in  it  with  presses 
and  tvpe  manufactured  in  their  missions.    A  new  book  of  Guarani 

117 


poems  appeared  when  we  were  visiting  Asuncion.     But  it  is  a 
language  practically  without  a  literature. 

I  did  not  come  into  contact  with  the  pure  Indian  population  of 
the  Gran  Chaco,  of  which  there  are  from  fifty  to  seventy-five 
thousand,  among  whom  the  South  American  Missionary  So- 
ciety is  conducting  a  significant  work. 

The  Climate 

Even  a  man  from  southern  California  could  not  fail  to  praise 
Paraguay's  climate.  Dr.  Moises  Bertoni,  a  Swiss  naturalist,  who 
has  lived  in  the  country  for  two  decades,  establishing  an  agricul- 
tural experiment  station  on  the  Upper  Parana,  and  giving  his  life 
to  the  study  of  Paraguay's  natural  resources,  says:  "We  will 
begin  by  a  categorical  statement,  dictated  by  long  observation  and 
ample  comparisons.  Within  the  limits  of  practical  possibility, 
Paraguay  fulfills  all  the  conditions  of  an  ideal  climate."  Al- 
though Asuncion  is  only  two  degrees  from  the  Tropic  of  Capri- 
corn, it  is  not  subject  to  malaria  or  epidemics  of  any  kind,  and 
those  used  to  the  temperate  zones  find  no  particular  health  risks 
here.  The  maximum  temperature  in  summer  reaches  42°  Cente- 
grade,  but  at  the  same  season  at  night  the  thermometer  dropped 
to  18°  to  20°.  The  maximum  in  winter,  if  such  it  can  be  called, 
is  24°. 

North  American  colonists,  looking  for  new  homes,  could  hardly 
find  a  more  inviting  climate  or  productive  soil.  A  few  Christian 
families  from  our  land  could  be  of  great  service  to  the  Para- 
guayans in  showing  the  meaning  of  practical  Christianity. 

Education 

The  schools  were  practically  closed  during  the  war  with  the 
Triple  Alliance.  In  1870  there  were  less  than  one  thousand  chil- 
dren in  school  in  the  whole  republic.  In  1902,  there  were  285 
schools,  with  24,752  pupils ;  in  1910,  508  schools,  with  52,200 
pupils;  and  in  1916,  1,047  schools,  1,481  teachers,  and  80,142 
pupils.  This  includes  public  and  private  schools.  In  the  public 
schools  the  boys  go  to  school  in  the  morning,  the  girls  in  the 
afternoon,  and  there  are  night  schools  in  the  capital  for  boys  and 
men.  The  pupils  have  the  custom  of  wearing  a  uniform  dress, 
which  makes  a  beautiful  appearance  when  they  are  all  together, 
and  keeps  down  class  distinction.  There  are  7,000  children  en- 
rolled in  the  primary  schools  of  Asuncion  ;  some  4.500  are  in  the 
first  year  and  only  95  in  the  6th  year.     There  are  three  National 

118 


Colleges,  the  one  in  Asuncion  enrolling  645  pupils  in  its  six- 
year  courses.  Those  in  \'illa  Rica  and  Pilar  enroll  68  and  J'j 
pupils,  respectively,  in  their  three-year  courses.  To  enter  these 
schools,  the  completion  of  the  six-year  primary  course  is  re- 
quired. The  same  entrance  requirements  prevail  for  entrance  into 
the  normal  courses,  which  lead  to  a  teacher's  diploma  with  three 
more  years  of  work.  There  are  five  schools  where  normal  courses 
are  given,  which  graduated  last  year  loi  teachers.  The  University 
consists  of  the  faculties  of  law,  pharmacy,  notaries  and  obstetrics', 
and  enrolled  206  students  last  year.  Its  classes  and  those  of  the 
Colcg'xo  Nacion-al  are  held  in  the  same  building. 

When  one  is  told  that  the  national  budget  for  education  in  191 5 
was  only  8,047,000  pesos,  or  about  $236,000  gold,  he  is  surprised 
to  see  the  splendid  showing  that  is  made  by  the  self-sacrificing 
men  and  women  who  are  giving  themselves  to  the  training  of 
the  future  citizens  of  the  nation.  Teachers  are  poorly  paid,  their 
salaries  often  being  three  or  four  months  behind.  No  wonder  it 
is  reported  that  some  in  the  country  districts  must  get  others  to 
help  them  make  out  their  application  blanks,  and  that  while  they 
can  add  and  subtract,  they  cannot  divide  and  multiply.  I  was  told 
of  one  teacher  who  replied  to  a  parent  that  told  him  he  wanted 
his  boy  taught  decimals,  "What !  do  you  think  if  I  knew  that 
much  J  would  be  teaching  here  for  350  pesos  ($10  gold)  a 
month  ?" 

The  government  has  been  providing  forty  scholarships  a  year 
for  students  to  study  abroad,  but  since  the  European  war  began 
the  lack  of  funds  has  forced  them  to  withdraw  these  scholarships. 
Every  friend  of  Paraguay  sympathizes  with  the  following  ap- 
peal by  a  Spaniard  who  has  spent  many  years  in  the  country : 
"It  would  be  a  fountain  of  incalculable  redemption,  here  above 
all  places,  to  send  into  the  country  a  heroic  regiment  of  one  hun- 
dred teachers — a  hundred  teachers  full  of  sympathy,  capable  of 
gaining  the  love  of  the  children,  consecrated  to  the  task  of  sowing 
in  these  young  hearts  the  seeds  of  sincerity  and  liberty  of  ideas. 
But  these  teachers — are  they  in  Paraguay?  Are  they  in  America? 
Are  they  anywhere  in  this  great  vale  of  tears?"* 

Religion 

The  religion  of  the  State  is  the  Roman  Catholic.  But  the 
Church  here  is  poorer  than  in  any  other  country  in  South  Amer- 
ica.    Francia  took  away  its  power,  making  the  Bishop  and  clergy 


*  "El  Dolor   Paraguayo,"  Rafael   Barrett,  Talleres   Graficos  "El  Arte," 
Montevideo. 

119 


subject  to  him.  Since  then,  the  Church  has  been  unable  to  re- 
cover. It  is  dependent  upon  the  Archbishopric  of  Buenos  Aires, 
although  the  contrary  was  once  true.  The  total  annual  budget 
provided  by  the  State  for  its  support  in  191 5  is  $278,000  paper, 
or  about  $8,000  gold.  The  Bishop's  salary  is  put  down  as  $12,000, 
or  about  $700  gold  a  year.  There  are  reported  in  the  official 
statistics  of  1914  a  total  of  eighty-four  parish  priests,  forty  of 
whom  live  in  Asuncion,  which  would  make  an  average  of  one 
priest  to  every  20,000  of  the  population  outside  the  capital.  It  is 
not  surprising  that  religion  is  discredited  by  the  intellectual 
classes,  and  has  little  moral  influence  on  the  lower  classes.  Not 
long  ago  posters  appeared  on  the  street  corners  which  read, 
"Abajo  con  la  Religion!"  ("Down  with  Religion").  Practically 
none  of  the  government  officials  or  of  the  teachers  in  secondary 
schools  have  any  respect  for  the  Church.  Many  people  assured 
me  that  concubinage  was  universal.  "No  one  knows  any  diiTer- 
ence ;  there  is  no  one  who  can  say  to  others  that  this  or  that  is 
wrong,  because  all  are  guilty" — is  the  way  one  man  put  it.  It 
is  not  immorality,  but  unmorality.  Climate,  historical  conditions, 
and  the  lack  of  a  strong  Church  which  holds  up  moral  ideals,  are 
explanations  given  of  sad  conditions  which  must  be  changed  be- 
fore the  nation  can  become  strong.  Only  a  religion  that  teaches 
how  to  win  the  difficult  fight  for  character  will  solve  the  problem. 
Even  granting  that  the  present  State  religion  were  doing  that,  it 
is  evident  that  eighty-four  priests  are  entirely  inadequate  to  cope 
with  the  problem. 

The  Protestant  Religious  Forces 

At  a  conference  of  workers  in  Asuncion,  the  following  bodies 
were  represented :  The  Salvation  Army,  the  South  American  In- 
land Mission  (Mr.  John  Hay's  Society),  the  English  Brethren, 
and  a  new  Independent  North  American  Mission  headed  by  Mr. 
J.  A.  Davis.  These  independent  organizations,  whose  funds  are 
too  limited  to  allow  them  to  do  a  vigorous  work,  are  all  the  bodies 
doing  work  in  Paraguay,  with  the  exception  of  the  Anglicans,  who 
maintain  one  chaplain  for  the  English  colonies,  and  Mr.  Grubb 
and  his  splendid  stafl:  of  workers  located  among  the  wild  tribes 
of  the  Chaco.  An  excellent  account  of  this  mission  is  given  in 
Volume  I.  of  the  Panama  Congress  Reports. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Mission  formerly  had  a  church  and  a 
good  school  in  Asuncion,  but  many  discouraging  circumstances 
caused  them  to  close  the  work  several  years  ago.  At  a  conference 
in  Buenos  Aires  between  the  Methodists  and  Disciples,  the  former 

120 


agreed  to  surrender  their  claims  to  territorial  rights  to  the  Disci- 
ples, who  plan  a  vigorous  occupation  of  the  Paraguayan  field  in  the 
near  future.  It  is  hoped  that  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Associa- 
tion may  soon  open  work  in  Asuncion  also,  and  thus  a  joint  social, 
educational  and  religious  program  commensurate  with  the  needs 
of  the  capital  city  of  the  Republic  be  projected.  As  Asun- 
cion has  remained  practically  untouched  by  Protestantism  so  far, 
it  offers  a  unique  opportunity  for  working  out  such  a  program. 
The  situation  in  Paraguay  probably  more  than  in  any  other  South 
American  country  calls  for  long,  hard,  elementary  work  in  char- 
acter-development. As  the  national  leaders  are  now  awakening 
to  this  fact,  one  of  the  greatest  services  can  be  rendered  the  peo- 
ple by  helping  these  leaders  to  formulate  the  right  kind  of  an 
educational  and  moral  program.  The  opportunity  for  such  service 
is  so  marked  that  our  deputation  believed  that  the  first  step  to 
be  taken  would  be  to  have  a  missionary  enter  the  University, 
establishing  educational  and  personal  relations  with  the  group  of 
men  who  are  directing  the  nation's  life.  After  a  thorough  study 
of  conditions  and  the  founding  of  firm  friendships,  his  next  step 
might  well  be  the  establishment  of  a  model  school  for  boys.  In 
the  building  erected  for  this  purpose,  community  services  may  be 
held  in  the  evening,  with  lectures,  social  meetings,  debates,  games 
and  reading,  where  the  meaning  of  Christianity  in  daily  life  of 
the  individual  and  of  the  nation  will  be  clearly  exemplified,  thus 
making  Christ  a  reality  to  a  people  who  have  become  deadened 
to  the  appeal  of  ecclesiasticism.  The  evangelistic  appeal  will 
come  naturally  and  be  continuously  presented  as  a  part  of  a  life 
which  is  in  Christ.  When  one  center  has  demonstrated  its  power 
to  help  and  to  save,  calls  that  will  surely  come  from  others  can 
be  answered. 

All  over  South  America  missionaries  are  feelingthat  the  policy 
of  beginning  evangelical  work  in  little  hired  halls  on  back  streets 
among  peope  who  must  always  depend  on  others  for  help  rather 
than  be  instrumental  in  helping  others,  has  been  a  mistake.  In 
a  virgin  field  like  Asuncion  it  is  worth  while  trying  the  experiment 
which  seems  to  be  nearer  to  Jesus'  practice  of  first  establishing 
friendly  relations  by  helping  some  one,  and  then  leading-  him  to 
the  deeper  secrets  of  the  Kingdom.  A  few  Christian  missionaries 
with  broad  training,  deep  sympathies,  and  a  vision  of  a  real 
Christian  program  for  the  national  life,  should  in  the  next  ten 
years  have  as  great  an  influence  in  directing  the  young  life  of 
Paraguay  as  \^erbeck  and  his  companions  had  in  Japan  half  a 
century  ago. 

121 


XIII.    BRAZIL 

I  have  often  told  audiences  that  Brazil  is  a  continent  in  itself 
larger  than  the  United  States,  but  I  will  hereafter  speak  with 
new, unction  on  the  subject.  I  think  I  have  been  the  first  mis- 
sionary visitor  to  start  in  at  the  south  and  go  to  the  extreme 
north  of  Brazil.  No  one  can  have  an  idea  of  the  immense  extent 
.of  that  great  country  without  making  that  trip.  From  Uruguay- 
ana,  on  the  Argentine  border,  to  Sao  Paulo,  which  is  still  in 
Southern  Brazil,  it  is  eighty  hours  solid  travel  by  train.  It  is 
another  twelve  hours  to  Rio  de  Janeiro ;  and  then  by  boat  it  is 
four  days  to  Bahia ;  two  more  days  to  Pernambuco,  and  then  five 
more  to  Para,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Amazon.  Para  is  two  days 
nearer  to  New  York  than  it  is  to  Uruguayan  Brazil!  If  I  had 
gone  very  far  inland,  there  would  have  been  still  other  more  won- 
derful impressions  of  distance  to  record.  Trips  to  Campinas  and 
Piracicaba,  and  to  Juiz  de  Fora  and  Lavras,  gave  me  opportunity 
to  see  some  of  the  best  Brazilian  country  and  the  most  effective 
evangelistic  and  educational  work  of  our  missions. 

I  was  enabled  to  meet  a  very  large  number  of  workers  in  Bra- 
zil. In  Porto  Alegre,  I  found  all  the  Methodist  workers  of 
Southern  Brazil  gathered  in  their  annual  conference.  I  met  there 
also  most  of  the  workers  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  as  it  is  the 
center  of  their  activities  in  Brazil.  In  Sao  Paulo  a  meeting  of  the 
representatives  of  all  the  missions  interetsed  in  the  Union  Theo- 
logical Seminary  was  timed  for  our  visit  there.  Besides  that,  we 
had  two  days'  session  with  the  pastors  of  the  city.  In  Rio  de 
Janeiro  we  had  a  representative  meeting  of  the  Committee  on 
Cooperation  in  Brazil.  Three  days  were  given  to  this  meeting 
and  to  the  one  with  the  pastors  of  Rio  de  Janeiro.  In  Pernam- 
buco the  Sunday  School  Convention  of  Northern  Brazil  was  timed 
for  my  visit.  In  all  these  meetings,  as  far  north  as  Rio  de 
Janeiro,  I  was  accompanied  by  Dr.  Browning,  our  new  Educa- 
tional Secretary,  who  took  his  full  share  in  all  conferences  and 
public  meetings.  It  was  a  source  of  satisfaction  and  power  to 
have  his  wisdom  and  fine  spirit  in  the  meetings.  He  made  friends 
everywhere,  for  himself  and  for  the  cause  of  cooperation.  I  had 
seven  weeks  in  Brazil,  one  in  the  south,  one  in  Sao  Paulo  and 
vicinity,  two  in  Rio  de  Janeiro  and  vicinity,  one  in  Bahia  and 
Pernambuco,  and  four  days  in  Para. 

122 


Brazil  leads  all  other  Latin-American  countries  in  Protestant- 
ism. This  may  be  due  partly  to  her  history.  The  first  foreign 
missionaries  ever  sent  out  by  Protestantism  were  sent  to  Brazil 
on  the  invitation  of  Villegagnon,  the  head  of  a  French  colony  that 
had  established  itself  on  an  island  which  can  be  seen  from  Rio 
de  Janeiro  and  still  bears  the  name  of  that  unprincipled  leader.'^ 
The  purposes  of  the  colony  seemed  at  first  to  have  been,  like  pre- 
vious Latin  colonies,  half  reHgious  and  half  political.  The  year 
after  its  establishment  (1855),  Villegagnon  sent  to  Geneva  the 
request  that  missionaries  should  be  sent  to  the  colony.  A  solemn 
service  was  held  in  the  Cathedral  in  Geneva  in  honor  of  these 
messengers,  and  the  church  of  Calvin  appointed  two  missionaries, 
Peter  Richer  and  William  Chartier.  Along  with  them  went  sev- 
eral young  laymen  who  were  to  labor  among  the  Indians.  One 
of  these,  De  Lery,  afterward  wrote  a  detailed  history  of  the  expe- 
dition. On  their  arrival  at  Rio  de  Janeiro,  they  joined  the  colony 
on  Villegagnon  Island,  and  held  the  first  Protestant  service  ever 
held  in  America,  when  Richer  preached  on  the  Fifth  Psalm : 
"One  thing  have  I  desired  of  the  Lord."  One  of  the  young  lay- 
men, Du  Pont,  declared  at  this  service  that  the  reason  why  he 
and  his  fellow-travelers  had  risked  the  dangers  of  the  ocean  was 
that  "they  might  found  a  church  reformed  according  to  God's 
Word."  Villegagnon  soon  fell  under  the  Roman  Catholic  in- 
fluence, however,  and  began  to  quarrel  with  the  ministers  about 
certain  doctrines.  Soon  a  large  part  of  the  colony,  including  the 
ministers,  returned  home.  Five  of  the  men  were  put  ofif  the  boat 
when  it  was  some  twenty  leagues  from  shore  and  compelled  to 
make  their  way  back  to  land  in  a  rowboat.  At  first  they  were 
well  received  by  Villegagnon,  but  afterward  he  accused  them  of 
being  spies,  and  had  three  of  them  killed.  Some  of  the  young 
men  made  their  way  into  the  interior  and  did  work  among  the 
Indians.  They  were  bitterly  persecuted  by  the  Jesuits  and  finally 
disappeared.  Thus,  in  Roman  Catholic  South  America  was  the 
first  Protestant  mission  founded  and  the  first  Protestant  martyrs 
suffered. 

The  second  endeavor  to  found  the  Protestant  Church  in  Brazil 
was  made  by  Holland,  which  occupied  Northern  Brazil,  with  Per- 
nambuco  as  a  center,  from  1624  to  1654.  Under  the  wise  leader- 
ship of  Maurice  of  Nassau,  nephew  of  William  the  Silent,  the 
colony  prospered  greatly.     He  gave  the  first  decree  of  religious 


'  See  Parkman's  "Pioneers  of  France  in  the  New  World"   for  detailed 
account.  , 

123 


freedom  ever  issued  in  America — some  say  in  the  world.  When 
the  Portug-uese  regained  their  independence  from  Spain,  they  also 
drove  the  Dutch  from  Brazil.  A  cultured  Brazilian  gentleman 
said  to  one  of  our  missionaries  that  the  greatest  misfortune  that 
ever  befell  Brazil  was  the  expulsion  of  the  Dutch;  that  if  they 
could  make  such  a  garden  out  of  that  land  of  rock  and  marsh 
where  they  live,  what  might  they  not  have  done  with  a  country 
like  Brazil ! 

The  first  Protestant  church  erected  in  South  America  was 
built  in  Rio  de  Janeiro  in  1819.  The  English  insisted  that  this 
right  should  be  accorded  them  in  their  first  commercial  treaty 
with  the  new  empire.  After  great  opposition  from  the  clericals, 
it  was  conceded.  The  outward  appearance  of  the  building  was 
not  permitted  to  be  like  a  church.  It  was  rebuilt  after  the  found- 
ing of  the  Republic,  with  ecclesiastical  architecture,  and  stands 
to-day  on  Rua  Barbonas. 

The  papal  nuncio,  in  arguing  with  the  king  against  granting 
the  permission  for  the  church,  when  he  failed  to  secure  his  point, 
then  asked  that  the  Inquisition  be  established  to  take  care  of  the 
heretics  the  new  chapel  would  make.  But  the  Bishop  of  Rio 
favored  granting  the  permission,  for,  he  said,  the  English  were 
not  a  religious  people,  but  very  jealous  and  tenacious.  If  per- 
mission were  not  granted  they  would  make  a  great  question  out 
of  it.  But  if  granted  and  the  chapel  was  built,  no  one  would 
attend  it  afterward. 

Among  noteworthy  missionary  visitors  may  be  mentioned  Allan 
Gardiner,  who  visited  Brazil  before  he  founded  his  mission 
among  the  Fuegians,  and  Henry  Alartyn,  who  landed  at  Bahia 
on  his  way  to  Persia.  He  took  his  Latin  Vulgate  in  hand  and 
went  to  the  old  Franciscan  monastery,  still  the  largest  building 
in  Bahia,  and  argued  with  the  padres  as  to  the  necessity  of  teach- 
ing the  Bible  to  the  people.  When  one  ascends  the  high  hill  on 
which  the  monastery  stands  to-day,  and  sees  the  innumerable 
crosses  on  the  three  hundred  and  sixty-three  church  spires  of  the 
city,  he  can  well  understand  the  feeling  of  Alartyn  as  he  ex- 
claimed, "Crosses  there  are  in  abundance,  but  who  will  lift  up 
the  Cross  of  Christ?" 

Brazil  is  the  only  country  in  South  America  that  has  separation 
of  Church  and  State.  Her  political  life  has  been  much  less  turbu- 
lent than  the  Spanish-American  republics.  Her  separation  from 
the  mother  country  came  more  naturally,  as  did  the  founding  of 
the  Republic,  which  came  a  quarter  of  a  century  later  than  it  did 

124 


with  the  Spanish-American  countries.  The  spirit  of  the  Portu- 
guese, as  contrasted  with  that  of  the  Spanish,  probably  influ- 
enced Brazil  toward  liberalism.  They  were  the  leaders  in 
discovery  and  trading-  in  the  fifteenth  century,  with  a  broader 
outlook  on  life  than  the  Spaniards,  who  were  more  directly  con- 
nected with  the  papacy. 

The  development  of  the  positivist  cult  in  Brazil  is  an  interest- 
ing sidelight  on  her  liberal  tendencies.  This  movement  was 
begun,  it  seems,  in  connection  with  the  agitation  for  a  Republic. 
It  flourished  to  such  an  extent  that  a  positivist  temple  was 
erected  in  Rio  de  Janeiro,  where  services  are  still  held.  The 
progress  of  the  movement  was  manifested  by  its  influence  upon 
the  constitution  of  the  states  of  Amazonas.  Parana  and  Rio 
Grande  do  Sul,  the  last-mentioned  being  promulgated  under  posi- 
tivist suggestion  in  the  name  of  the  Family,  the  Country,  and 
Humanity.  Their  liberalizing  influence  has  been  felt  in  many 
acts,  such  as  protests  against  the  crucifix  in  the  Supreme  Court 
room ;  against  the  Church's  control  of  the  cemeteries,  and  in 
the  proposal  of  divorce  laws.  The  national  census  reports  some 
three  hundred  members.  Positivism  has  ceased  to  have  the  seri- 
ous hold  on  the  intellectuals  of  the  country  it  once  had. 

The  present  Protestant  missionary  work  was  most  fortunate  in 
its  beginnings.  Dr.  Kalle)^  a  pious  Scotch  physician,  who  was 
greatly  persecuted  in  the  Madeira  Islands,  where  he  first  began 
to  preach  the  gospel,  came  to  Brazil,  and  soon  had  a  strong  work 
established.  He  emphasized  self-support  and  national  leadership. 
The  churches  he  organized  along  Congregational  lines  have  de- 
veloped other  strong  congregations  from  both  centers  where  he 
preached,  Pernambuco  and  Rio  de  Janeiro.  The  Presbyterians,  who 
were  the  second  missionary  body  to  begin  work,  had  as  their 
pioneer  missionary  Dr.  A.  G.  Simonton,  who  was  a  strong  man 
intellectually  and  greatly  emphasized  a  well-prepared  ministry. 
He  mastered  Portuguese  as  probably  no  other  missionary  has 
ever  done,  and  his  sermons  are  still  so  popular  that  the  royalty 
on  them  is  a  substantial  part  of  the  support  of  the  Presbyterian 
seminary.  This  seminary  is  by  long  odds  the  best  in  Latin  Amer- 
ica. It  has  been  established  for  thirty  years  and  has  produced 
men  like  Eduardo  Pereira,  Erasmo  Braga  and  Alvaro  Reis,  who 
are  well  known,  not  only  in  Protestant  circles,  but  also  to  the 
general  public  in  Brazil. 

Dr.  Pereira  is  the  author  of  the  most  popular  grammar  in 
Portuguese,  widely  used  in  the  public  and  Catholic  schools  of 

125 


Brazil.  He  is  one  of  the  finest  Christian  gentlemen  that  one 
could  meet  anywhere,  and  would  adorn  society  in  any  of  our 
American  cities.  He  was  fortunate  in  investments  in  property  in 
his  home-town  of  Sao  Paulo  when  it  was  yet  in  its  infancy  as 
a  commercial  center,  and' these,  with  the  royalties  on  his  books, 
have  made  him  more  than  a  well-to-do  man,  enabling  him  to  do 
much  for  the  Kingdom.  He  has  always  given  his  time  wholly  to 
evangelical  work.  As  the  head  of  the  Independent  Presbyterian 
Church,  he  is  also  director  of  their  theological  seminary,  and  is 
well  known  in  Sao  Paulo  as  a  strong  force  for  righteousness. 

Dr.  Erasmo  Braga,  who  wrote  the  account  in  Portuguese  of 
the  Panama  Congress,  is  well  known  in  Brazil  as  a  literary  man. 
He  has  been  connected  with  the  Jornal  do  Conimercio  and  other 
prominent  Brazilian  papers,  and  is  now  editing  a  monthly  review 
called  O  Refonna.  His  book  on  the  Panama  Congress  has  re- 
ceived favorable  reviews  in  the  leading  journals  of  Brazil.  Dr. 
Braga  gives  most  of  his  time  to  the  Presbyterian  seminary  in 
Campinas,  but  he  receives  no  salary  for  the  great  burden  that  he 
carries  there.  He  is  employed  by  the  National  College  to  teach 
English,  and  lives  on  what  he  receives  for  that  work.  I  know  of 
no  finer  example  of  the  sacrifice  of  a  man  of  talent  for  the  cause 
that  he  loves  than  this. 

Dr.  Alvaro  Reis,  the  pastor  of  the  great  Presbyterian  Church 
in  Rio  de  Janeiro,  is  a  real  force  in  the  moral  life  of  the  city. 
His  church  has  nearly  a  thousand  members,  among  whom  are 
prominent  physicians,  lawyers  and  Government  officials.  It  is  a 
fine  example  of  the  way  the  gospel  can  break  down  lines  of  caste, 
for  it  has  many  poor  members  also.  Its  annual  offering  is  some 
ten  thousand  dollars.  I  attended  the  celebration  of  the  fiftieth 
anniversary  of  the  founding  of  the  first  Sunday  School  in  Brazil, 
which  took  place  in  this  church.  An  all-day  program  was  held 
on  the  National  Independence  Day,  which  happened  to  correspond 
with  the  Sunday  School  anniversary.  The  program  was  divided 
into  seven  sections,  lasting  about  an  hour  each,  with  intervals 
for  social  intercourse.  Delegates  were  present  from  the  twenty 
Sunday  Schools  that  the  church  conducts  in  different  parts  of 
the  city  and  its  suburbs.  Addresses  were  made  by  many  promi- 
nent men  and  pastors  from  other  churches.  The  pastor  was 
everywhere  at  once,  encouraging,  greeting,  introducing,  and,  as  a 
master  host,  seeing  that  everyone  enjoyed  himself.  I  have  never 
shared  in  a  finer  social  occasion  in  one  of  our  great  city  churches 
in  North  America.     Dr.  Reis  is  an  author  of  ability  :  some  of  his 

126 


works  have  been  published  in  the  ofificial  organ  of  the  Historical 
Society  of  Brazil. 

These  three  men  are  mentioned  because,  as  delegates  to  Pan- 
ama, they  are  perhaps  best  known  outside  of  Brazil.  But  there 
are  many  others  who  might  also  furnish  an  illustration  of  the  in- 
fluence of  evangelical  leaders  in  the  community. 

Brazil  is  the  only  country  in  Latin  America  where  the  native 
Evangelical  Church  sustains  a  hospital.  This  occupies  beautiful 
grounds  in  the  suburbs  of  Rio  de  Janeiro.  It  took  the  Church 
fourteen  years  to  complete  the  structure,  which  cost,  with 
grounds,  $100,000.  It  is  splendidly  equipped.  The  pity  is  that' 
the  support  has  not  been  sufficient  of  late  to  allow  it  to  take  its 
capacity  of  patients.  No  mission  funds  have  gone  into  the  hos- 
pital. Dr.  Reis,  who  is  the  presdent  of  the  institution,  however, 
made  an  appeal  to  me  to  bring  the  needs  of  the  hospital  before 
the  friends  in  the  United  States.  It  is  a  shame  to  see  this  mag- 
nificent plant  almost  without  patients,  when  there  is  such  a  large 
ministry  that  it  could  perform  if  its  annual  budget  were  enlarged. 

Another  magnificent  work  of  charity  conducted  under  evangeli- 
cal influence,  though  a  private  institution,  is  the  Santa  Teresa 
Dispensary  and  Home  for  the  Poor  in  Rio  de  Janeiro.  It  was 
founded  and  is  largely  supported  by  Dr.  Francisco  de  Castro,  a 
prominent  Brazilian  attorney.  Dr.  Castro  was  a  good  Roman 
Catholic  when  he  lost  his  wife  and  was  left  with  several  mother- 
less children.  Protestants  were  the  only  ones  from  whom  he 
could  get  help  in  taking  care  of  the  children.  In  a  visit  to  Eng- 
land later,  he  was  greatly  taken  wnth  the  orphanage  and  free 
clinic  work  there.  He  married  the  English  nurse  w^ho  had  taken 
care  of  his  children,  and  they  together  founded  the  Santa  Teresa 
Home.  The  work  consists  of  a  day  school,  a  dispensary,  a  nurs- 
ery, and  relief  work  for  the  poor.  The  enthusiasm  of  Dr.  Castro, 
as  he  shows  one  over  the  magnificently  arranged  home,  knows 
no  bounds.  The  kindergarten  and  day-school  program  is  most 
practical.  A  large  amount  of  relief  work  is  done.  The  fact  that 
a  person  is  needy  is  sufficient  to  win  the  heart  of  this  good  man. 
As  the  work  goes  on,  probably  more  of  the  self-help  idea  will 
be  introduced.  The  entire  expense  of  the  work  last  year  w^as 
$25,000,  half  of  which  amount  was  given  by  the  founder  him- 
self. Dr.  Castro  recently  joined  the  Episcopal  Church  in  Rio, 
the  rector  of  which.  Dr.  J.  G.  Meem,  is  strongly  seconding  him 
in  the  work  of  the  institution. 

Another  mark  of  the  strength  of  the  Evangelical  Church   in 

127 


Brazil  is  the  number  of  directors  of  public  institutions  who  are 
either  members  of  an  evangielical  church  or  were  educated  in 
church  schools.  This  is  particularly  true  in  the  state  of  Sao 
Paulo,  where  for  more  than  twenty  years  Mackenzie  College  has 
been  training  the  leaders  for  the  political  and  educational  life  of 
that  most  progressive  of  Brazilian  states. 

One  of  the  outstanding  figures  of  Brazilian  life  is  Dr.  Jose 
Carlos  Rodriguez,  former  editor  of  the  Jornal  do  Cornmercio,  but 
now  occupied  with  literary  work.  While  Dr.  Rodriguez  has  never 
joined  any  of  the  Protestant  denominations — probably  because 
of  their  sectarian  differences — yet  he  is  one  of  their  recognized 
champions.  He  was  requested  by  the  Government,  in  its  plans 
for  historical  literature  for  the  celebration  of  the  centennial  in 
19 lo,  to  prepare  a  work  on  the  Non-Catholic  Religions  of  Brazil. 
He  accepted  with  the  understanding  that  he  was  to  have  absolute 
liberty  in  the  preparation  of  the  work.  The  result  is  a  priceless 
little  volume,  which  gives  in  detail  the  story  of  the  French  and 
Dutch  Protestant  propaganda,  of  the  positivist  movement,  and  of 
the  modern  evangelical  mission  work.  Dr.  Rodriguez  believes 
that  the  greatest  need  of  his  country  is  a  knowledge  of  the  Bible. 
He  also  believes  that  the  reason  the  Bible  is  not  studied  more 
is  because  people  do  not  understand  how  to  approach  it.  He  is 
therefore  giving  his  time  now  to  the  preparation  of  an  introduc- 
tion to  the  Bible.  Soon  the  evangelical  cause  will  have  a  schol- 
arly work  contributed  by  one  of  the  best  South  American  journal- 
ists, explaining  to  the  educated  classes  what  the  Bible  is  and 
why  it  challenges  their  attention. 

One  finds  several  of  the  evangelical  churches  in  Brazil  with 
their  own  national  organizations,  conducted  independently  of  any 
foreign  control.  The  Northern  and  Southern  Presbyterian 
churches  joined  their  forces  many  years  ago,  the  first  meeting  of 
the  General  Assembly  being  held  in  1910.  Its  business  is  con- 
ducted on  a  dignified  business  basis  that  is  worthy  of  the  national 
organization  of  a  church  in  any  country.  It  has  a  home  mission- 
ary society,  which  supports  work  in  various  parts  of  Brazil.  Its 
business  is  entirely  conducted  by  Brazilians.  There  has  been 
worked  out  recently,  in  a  most  harmonious  way,  a  satisfactory 
division  of  labor  between  the  national  church  and  the  foreign  mis- 
sionaries, which  provides  that,  as  a  general  rule,  neither  workers 
in  the  national  church  nor  the  missionaries  of  the  Board  shall 
be  members  of  both  corporations  at  the  same  time.  Exceptions 
are  made  when  a  presbytery  has  less  than  five  members,  when  it 

128 


may  invite  one  or  more  missionaries  to  membership.  No  mis- 
sionary serves  as  pastor  of  a  presbytery  church,  and  the  mission 
does  not  employ  members  of  presbyteries  as  evangehsts,  except  as 
these  shall  be  loaned  for  a  certain  limited  time.  The  ecclesiastical 
authority  of  missionaries  is  final  in  their  particular  field,  but  the 
licensing  of  ministers  and  the  recommendation  of  students  for  the 
seminary  is  limited  to  the  presbyteries.  Presbyteries  and  missions 
exchange  reports  annually.  In  cases  where  a  church  is  in  condi- 
tion to  join  a  presbytery,  with  the  exception  of  a  small  part 
of  its  financial  support,  the  mission  may  be  requested  to  aid  it 
on  a  sliding  scale.  Transference  of  work  from  one  body  to  an- 
other is  provided  by  the  local  congregation,  the  presbytery  or  the 
mission  taking  up  the  matter  with  the  court  concerned.  The  mis- 
sion, on  opening  work  in  new  districts,  at  first  consults  with  the 
nearest  presbytery.  A  permanent  committee  from  the  two  Pres- 
byterian Boards  and  the  Brazil  General  Assembly  looks  after  the 
carrying  out  of  this  agreement.  While  the  agreement  has  been 
in  efifect  only  a  year,  it  now  looks  as  though  it  would  prove  a 
very  happy  solution  to  the  difficult  problem  which  arises  when 
the  native  church  is  ready  to  assume  a  certain  amount  of  responsi- 
bility for  the  evangelization  of  its  people,  and  yet  is  still  in  need 
of  the  help  of  missionaries. 

Many  believe  that  if  the  missionaries  had  been  as  willing  sev- 
eral years  ago  to  put  responsibility  and  authority  on  the  national 
leaders  as  this  new  agreement  shows,  the  schism  in  the  church, 
which  has  been  such  a  blight  on  its  growth,  would  have  been 
averted. 

It  will  be  seen  that  this  agreement  provides  that  tlie  mission- 
aries shall  do  the  real  pioneer  work  out  on  the  frontiers  where 
churches  have  not  yet  been  developed,  while  the  Brazilian  pastors 
have  the  work  in  the  cities  and  towns  where  the  congregations  are 
strong.  This  is  the  reverse  of  the  ordinary  situation  found  in 
Latin  America.  One  is  surprised  to  find  no  American  Presby- 
terian missionary,  for  example,  in  the  capital  of  the  Republic  or 
in  Sao  Paulo,  a  city  of  500,000  population.  And  yet  he  at  once 
recognizes  the  wisdom  of  this  arrangement  when  he  finds  that 
the  Brazilian  pastors  are  men  of  such  training  and  character  that 
they  occupy  as  high  a  place  in  the  community  as  any  foreigner 
could  possibly  hope  to  do. 

The  Congregationalists,  Independent  Presbyterians  and  Bap- 
tists each  have  their  independent  national  assemblies,  but  I  have 
referred  particularly  to  the  Presbyterian  because  of  the  way  they 

129 


have  worked  out  the  relationship  l)etween  the  missionaries  and 
national  workers. 

The  evangelical  schools  of  Brazil  are  recognized  by  the  public 
men  of  that  country  as  an  educational  force  of  importance.  The 
property  of  the  secondary  schools  is  valued  at  one  and  a  half 
million  dollars.  Mackenzie  College  owns  nearly  half  of  this. 
The  rest  is  divided  between  the  Methodist  school  at  Juiz  de  Fora, 
the  Southern  Presbyterian  at  Lavras,  the  Baptist  colleges  at  Rio 
and  Pernambuco,  the  Presbyterian  Girls'  School  at  Curityba,  the 
Presbyterian  Theological  Seminary  in  Campinas,  the  Methodists' 
girls'  schools  at  Piracicaba,  Bello  Horizonto  and  Petropolis,  the 
Episcopal  College  in  Porto  Alegre  and  the  Methodists  in  Uru- 
guayana,  and  a  few  other  schools  which  I  was  not  able  to  visit. 
The  Federal  Government  by  legislative  enactment  recognizes  the 
degrees  of  the  schools  of  Dentisry  and  Pharmacy  of  Granbery 
College.  The  state  legislature  has  just  agreed  to  recognize  the 
Agricultural  School  at  Lavras.  In  the  recent  military  parade  in 
Rio  de  Janeiro,  the  student  companies  from  Mackenzie  and  Gran- 
berry  were  taken  to  Rio  and  appeared  in  the  review  on  the  same 
basis  as  the  students  from  the  most  important  Government 
schools.  When  President  Lane  of  Mackenzie  College  died,  the 
state  legislature  adjourned  and  he  had  the  largest  funeral  that 
ever  took  place  in  Sao  Paulo.  Dr.  Joao  Sampio  says  of  the  Meth- 
odist Girls'  School  in  Piracicaba :  "This  college  was  the  mother  of 
reform  for  pubhc  instruction  in  the  State  of  Sao  Paulo.  It  was 
there  that  Dr.  Prudente  Moraes  was  able  to  examine  and  appre- 
ciate the  application  of  modern  pedagogical  methods  brought 
from  the  United  States,  thus  preparing  his  spirit  for  the  great 
work  which  he  had  occasion  to  initiate  as  governor  of  the  state." 
(Sao  Paulo,  since  Governor  Moraes's  time,  has  led  all  the  other 
states  in  education.)  While  many  Brazilians  believe  that  in  the 
interior  illiteracv  is  grooving  in  spite  of  the  efforts  of  the  Gov- 
ernment, the  schools  started  by  Dr.Waddell  in  the  interior  of 
Bahia  and  taken  over  by  the  Government,  recently  are  recognized 
as  the  best  practical  effort  that  has  been  made  to  combat  illit- 
eracy. So  the  story  might  be  continued,  showing  that  in  all  parts 
of  Brazil  except  the  interior  country,  where  there  is  no  education 
of  any  kind,  evangelical  schools  have  been  recognized  as  leaders 
in  solving  the  educational  problems  of  Brazil. 

Another  proof  of  the  strength  of  the  evangelical  movement  in 
Brazil  is  the  large  number  of  self-supporting  congregations.  In 
.one  district  in  the  state  of  Rio  de  Janeiro,  out  of  thirty  Baptist 

130 


congregations  twenty-six  are  self-supporting.  The  Congrega- 
tional churches  have  been  practically  self-supporting  from  the  be- 
ginning. The  ^lethodists  have  more  self-supporting  churches  in 
Brazil  than  in  all  the  rest  of  Latin  America.  The  Independent 
Presbyterian  Church,  with  over  six  thousand  members,  has  never 
received  any  support  outside  the  country.  Brazil  has  been  for- 
tunate in  having  sensible  leaders  who  recognized  that  indepen- 
dence in  ecclesiastical  government  depends  upon  independence  in 
financial  support. 

Independent  financial  support  means,  of  course,  independence  in 
church  government  also.  One  of  the  first  things  that  impresses 
a  visitor  when  he  enters  into  conference  with  the  workers  in  Bra- 
zil is  that  the  men  who  take  the  lead  in  discussion  and  who  have 
most  to  do  with  the  shaping  of  policies  are  the  Brazilians.  The 
counsel  of  the  foreign  missionary  is  accepted  only  so  far  as  it  has 
the  appeal  of  wisdom.  While  an  antagonistic  feeling  is  scarcely 
ever  shown  ^toward  the  Boards  or  their  agents,  yet  the  viewpoint 
taken,  both  by  missionaries  and  nationals,  is  that  of  the  Brazilian 
church  and  not  that  of  the  foreign  agencies,  which  are  recognized 
as  only  aiding  in  the  development  of  the  national  church.  This 
cannot  be  said  of  the  conferences  I  have  attended  in  any  other 
South  American  country. 

There  is  not  time  to  point  out  other  evidences  of  the  strength 
of  the  Brazilian  Church  and  to  emphasize  the  lessons  it  can  teach 
our  other  missions  in  Latin  America.  And  it  must  not  be  thought 
that  the  Brazilian  Church  has  no  problems,  or  that  there  remains 
little  for  missionary  societies  to  do.  The  needs  are  enormous, 
and  it  is  doubtful  if  the  nation  will  be  evangehzed  in  the  next 
several  centuries  if  no  more  than  the  present  rate  of  progress  is 
maintained.  The  schism  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  has  delayed 
the  progress  of  all  churches  in  Brazil  in  a  most  marked  way. 
There  is  now  only  one  Protestant  Christian  to  every  five  hundred 
Brazilians.  Sao  Paulo,  said  by  the  workers  there  to  be  the  capital 
of  Protestantism  in  Brazil,  has  a  population  of  500,000,  with  2,000 
evangelicals.  One  may  truthfully  say  that  the  influence  of  the 
church  is  far  beyond  its  numerical  strength,  but  these  figures  loom 
large,  in  view  of  what  is  left  to  be  done.  Outside  of  the  states 
of  Sao  Paulo,  Minas  Geraes,  Rio  de  Janeiro,  the  Federal  District 
and  Rio  Grande  do  Sul,  Brazil  cannot  be  said  to  be  occupied  in 
any  adequate  sense.  The  great  interior  states  of  Goyaz,  Matto 
Grosso,  Parana,  Santa  Catarina  and  Amazonas  have  not  a  dozen 
preachers,  all  told.    Northern  Brazil  is  one  of  the  most  neglected 

1.^1 


fields  on  earth.  North  and  west  of  the  San  Francisco  River  lies 
about  two-thirds  of  Brazil,  which  is  itself  half  of  South  America. 
There  are  only  twenty-nine  missionaries  in  this  whole  territory, 
thirteen  ordained  men,  thirteen  wives  and  three  women  teachers. 
The  Southern  Presbyterians,  the  Southern  Baptists  and  the  South 
American  Evangelical  Union  are  the  Boards  working  there,  with 
the  exception  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  which  has  one  secretary  in  Per- 
uambuco.  There  is  one  state  with  over  a  million  people  where 
there  is  only  one  native  pastor.  Altogether  there  are  only  thirty 
Brazilian  pastors  in  this  field.  Two-thirds  of  the  region  is  cov- 
ered with  virgin  forests,  through  which  wander  native  tribes  who 
have  never  heard  the  name  of  Christ.  The  Amazon  and  its 
tributaries  furnish  ten  thousand  miles  of  navigable  waters  to 
reach  the  eight  millions  of  people  living  in  this  territory.  One 
of  the  states  of  Brazil  is  as  large  as  England,  France,  (jermany, 
Belgium  and  Holland,  together.  Another  is  four  times  the  size  of 
Texas.  In  spite  of  the  great  need  of  the  whole  territory,  fifteen 
out  of  twenty-nine  missionaries  are  located  in  the  city  of  Per- 
nambuco.  There  are  seven  states  with  a  population  ranging  from 
that  of  j\Iaine  to  New  Jersey,  which  have  no  resident  mission- 
aries. If  China  had  the  same  proportion  of  missionaries  it  would 
have  only  half  the  number  that  are  there  at  present,  and  India's 
staff  would  be  reduced  two-thirds.  There  is  one  medical  mission- 
ary, and  people  come  to  see  him  from  five  different  states.  When 
he  travels  on  the  train,  they  wait  at  every  station  for  him. 

In  the  whole  state  of  Ceara,  which  has  the  best  climate  and 
the  most  progressive  people  of  all  Northern  Brazil,  there  is  just 
one  evangelical  worker — a  Brazilian  pastor.  In  Porto  Rico, 
which  has  the  same  population,  but  only  a  fraction  of  its  area, 
there  are  two  hundred  and  eighteen  national  workers  and  one 
hundred  and  thirty-six  foreign  missionaries.  The  whole  district 
lies  within  the  Equator  and  eight  degrees  south,  and  diseases  of 
the  tropics  are  rampant,  except  in  a  few  of  the  coast  cities,  where 
modern  sanitary  improvements  have  been  installed.  There  are 
about  eighty-five  per  cent,  of  the  people  who  cannot  read  and 
write.  The  problem  that  the  Government  is  contending  with  is 
enormous,  and  some  Brazilians  believe  that  the  illiteracy  is  grow- 
ing instead  of  decreasing.  Not  an  evangelical  school  of  college 
grade  exists  in  all  this  district.  I  raised  the  question  with  the 
workers  of  inviting  another  society  to  enter  the  territory.  The 
Southern  Presbyteran  Mission  has  not  sent  a  new  evangelistic 
missionary  to  this  field  in  twenty  years.     The  Evangelical  Union 

132 


of  South  America,  since  it  took  over  the  work  from  the  "Help 
for  Brazil  Mission,"  five  years  ago,  has  sent  no  new  missionary, 
and  maintains  only  two  at  the  present  time.  The  Southern  Bap- 
tist Mission  has  considerably  strengthened  its  force  here,  having 
sent  five  new  men  to  this  field  in  the  last  five  years.  Thus,  the 
situation  is  not  at  all  encouraging,  then,  for  the  evangelization 
of  Northern  Brazil  in  the  immediate  future.  The  workers  are 
insistent  on  new  forces.  They  would,  however,  deprecate  the 
entry  of  new  denominational  interests.  Dr.  Pereira  suggested  at 
Sao  Paulo  that  the  Presbyterians  make  a  division  of  territory  be- 
tween the  national  churches  and  the  missions,  and  that  Northern 
Brazil  be  considered  mission  territory  and  Central-Southern  Bra- 
zil the  part  for  which  the  national  churches  shall  be  responsible. 
If  the  three  Boards  now  working  in  Northern  Brazil  cannot  im- 
mediately strengthen  their  work,  then  it  seems  to  me  that  other 
Boards  of  like  ecclesiastical  policy  with  those  now  working  there, 
say  the  Northern  Baptist  Foreign  Board  and  the  American 
Board,  should  be  invited  to  help  in  the  enormous  task.  The 
climatic  conditions  are  hard,  but  foreigners  are  scattered  every- 
where over  the  Amazon  Valley  for  the  sake  of  rubber,  brazil 
nuts  and  cattle.  The  missionary  enterprise  should  not  then  hesi- 
tate. Ceara  would  be  a  better  city  for  the  establishment  of  a  cen- 
tral educational  work  than  the  city  of  Para,  as  the  climate  is  more 
bracing.  Still,  in  Para,  Manaos,  and  all  the  great  district  of  the 
Amazon,  yellow  fever  has  been  stamped  out  for  several  years. 
Frequent  furloughs  would  be  necessary,  and  people  from  south- 
ern climates  should  be  selected  as  missionaries. 

The  following  communions,  mentioned  in  the  order  of  their 
coming  to  the  field,  are  working  in  Brazil.  The  Congregational- 
ists  (1,400  members),  with  Rio  de  Janeiro  and  Pernambuco  as 
centers.  This  work,  begun  by  Dr.  Kalley,  has  been  a  Brazilian 
work,  maintained  largely  by  the  members  themselves.  There  is 
a  growing  relationship  between  them  and  the  Evangelical  Union 
of  South  America.  In  Pernambuco,  the  work  of  the  two  has  been 
practically  united.  The  Presbyterians,  U.  S.  A.,  support  mission- 
aries in  the  states  of  Bahia,  Parana,  Santa  Catarina,  and  Alatto 
Grosso.  The  Presbyterians  U.  S.  have  missionaries  in  the  states 
of  Pernambuco,  Minas  Geraes  and  Sao  Paulo.  They  cooperate 
with  the  Presbyterian  General  Assembly  of  Brazil,  which  has 
churches  in  the  above-named  states,  in  the  Federal  capital,  in 
Rio  Grande  do  Norte,  Parahiba,  Ceara,  and  Para.  (Total,  14,000 
members.)      The  Southern  Methodist  Church  is  in  the  Federal 

133 


capital,  and  in  the  states  of  Rio  de  Janeiro,  Minas  Geraes,  Sao 
Paulo,  Santa  Catarina  and  Rio  Grande  do  Sul  (7,000  members). 
The  Southern  Baptists  are  in  Amazonas,  Para,  Pernambuco, 
Bahia,  Rio  de  Janeiro,  Espiritu  Santa,  the  Federal  capital,  Sao 
Paulo,  Rio  Grande  do  Sul,  and  probably  others  (14,000  mem- 
bers). The  Episcopal  Church  is  in  Rio  Grande  do  Sul  and  the 
Federal  capital  (1,500  members).  The  Independent  Presbyterian 
Church  has  churches  in  most  of  the  states  where  older  Presby- 
terian work  is  found  (6,500  members).  The  Evangelical  Union 
of  South  America  is  in  Sao  Paulo,  Goyaz  and  Pernambuco  (350 
members).  The  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  has  a  widely 
extended  and  influential  work  in  Brazil,  with  associations  in  Rio 
de  Janeiro,  Sao  Paulo,  Rio  Grande  do  Sul  and  Pernambuco 
(3,000  members). 

There  has  never  been  any  formal  agreement  entered  into  by 
the  evangelical  bodies  concerning  territorial  occupation,  looking 
to  the  occupation  of  the  whole  country.  At  several  times  two 
different  bodies  have  made  certain  agreements.  When  the  Epis- 
copal workers  first  came  to  Brazil  and  were  looking  for  a  field, 
the  Presbyterians,  U.  S.  A.,  agreed  to  retire  from  the  state  of 
Rio  Grande  do  Sul  in  favor  of  the  Episcopalians.  The  Northern 
and  Southern  Methodist  churches  agreed  to  their  boundaries  in 
South  America,  the  former  taking  Spanish-speaking  and  the  lat- 
ter Portuguese-speaking  South  America.  The  work  developed  by 
the  Northern  Church  in  Rio  Grande  do  Sul  was  transferred  to 
the  Southern  Church,  which  now  counts  this  as  one  of  its  most 
fruitful  fields.  The  Presbyterian  U.  S.  and  Methodists  have  an 
agreement  over  the  work  in  the  state  of  Minas  Geraes.  The  Bap- 
tists, Methodists  and  Presbyterians  have  an  understanding  con- 
cerning work  in  the  state  of  Bahia.  The  British  and  American 
Bible  Societies  have  a  distinct  limitation  of  territories  between  the 
two  which  works  admirably.  Most  of  the  territorial  division  has 
been  simply  by  "gentlemen's  agreements."  That  there  is  not  more 
overlapping  is  due  mainly  to  the  immensity  of  the  territory  and 
the  smallness  of  the  forces.  Brazilian  workers  do  not  seem  to 
feel  the  necessity  of  facing  this  question  at  present,  as  it  is  being 
faced  in  most  of  the  other  Latin  countries.  I  am  convinced, 
however,  that  a  careful  survey  of  the  whole  field  would  reveal 
many  ways  of  more  complete  occupation  without  enlargement  of 
forces.  Such  a  survey  would  also  help  toward  a  better  determi- 
nation of  the  fields  which  should  be  left  to  the  mission  Boards 
and  of  those  which  should  be  cared  for  by  the  Brazilian  Church, 

134 


a  question  of  great  importance  in  the  minds  of  some  of  the  na- 
tional leaders. 

Regarding  territorial  problems  in  Brazil,  it  must  be  kept  in 
mind  that  there  are  three  divisions — southern,  central  and  north- 
ern. Southern  Brazil,  as  regards  evangelical  work,  consists  large- 
ly of  the  state  of  Rio  Grande  do  Sul.  Between  it  and  Sao  Paulo 
and  Rio  there  are  the  states  of  Parana  and  Santa  Catarina, 
which  are  very  weak  evangelically.  They  feel  quite  separated 
from  Rio  and  even  from  Sao  Paulo,  which  is  three  days  by  rail 
from  them.  This  feeling  of  separation  is  more  marked  still  in 
Northern  Brazil.  In  Pernambuco,  the  first  and  last  message  of 
the  workers  is  a  warning  not  to  forget  that  Nofthern  Brazil  is 
a  different  field  from  Central  Brazil.  When  one  has  traveled  for 
six  days  on  the  ship  from  Rio  to  Pernambuco,  and  then  five  more 
too  Para,  he  does  not  need  to  have  it  proved.  Workers  who  go 
from  the  north  to  the  south  never  return;  they  are  lost  to  the 
north.  Hence  the  northern  workers  object  to  sending  their  young 
men  south  to  be  educated  for  the  ministry.  Conditions  in  the 
north  are  so  different  that  the  workers  there  object  to  having 
their  policies  determined  by  the  force  in  the  south.  While  it 
seems  desirable  that  the  whole  work  in  any  one  country  should 
be  closely  knit  together,  yet*  the  northern  field  for  some  time  to 
come  will  have  to  be  considered  as  very  largely  a  field  in  itself. 

As  suggested  before,  this  whole  matter  needs  to  be  closely 
studied  and  conclusions  reached  after  data  from  all  the  fields  are 
in  hand.  At  present,  the  opinions  of  workers  in  Northern  and 
Southern  Brazil  are  opposed ;  neither  is  thoroughly  cognizant  of 
the  situation  in  the  whole  country. 

In  other  parts  of  Latin  America  missionaries  are  located  largely 
in  the  great  cities.  In  Brazil  they  are  often  found  in  the  small 
towns  in  the  interior.  The  Presbyterian  missionaries  in  Per- 
nambuco have  their  educational  and  medical  work  in  towns  of 
less  than  10,000  people,  one  day's  ride  into  the  country  from  the 
capital  city.  In  the  state  of  Bahia  there  are  seven  foreign  mis- 
sionaries, all  except  one  of  whom  are  located  in  the  interior.  Their 
greatest  educational  center  in  North  Brazil  is  in  the  heart  of  the 
forest,  two  days  on  mule-back  from  the  railroad.  It  is  said  in 
defense  of  this  policy  that  Bahia,  for  example,  was  for  years  one 
of  the  most  barren  of  mission  fields,  but  since  the  work  began  to 
be  pressed  in  the  interior  it  has  become  one  of  the  most  fruitful 
of  all  the  fields.  Twenty  years  ago  the  Methodists  left  the  easily 
accessible  coast  country  and  opened  new  fields  in  the  great  state 

135 


of  Minas  Geraes,  which  now  form  the  stronghold  of  their  work 
in  Brazil.  One  of  them  finds  the  largest  congregation  developed 
in  small  towns  or  in  the  country  itself,  where  the  whole  district 
has  been  brought  under  the  influence  of  the  gospel.  Some  have 
expressed  the  conviction  that  Brazil  will  be  evangelized  from  the 
interior  outward,  and  not  from  the  coast  inward.  If  it  be  ob- 
jected that  this  policy  is  against  the  strategy  of  the  apostle  to 
the  Gentiles,  the  missionaries  reply  that  Paul  probably  preached 
in  the  cities  because  it  was  there  the  people  were  most  willing  to 
hear  him.  In  going  to  the  country  in  Brazil,  modern  missionaries 
are  following  the  same  principle. 

The  best  exemplification  of  the  other  policy  is  the  work  of  the 
Baptists,  in  Pernambuco.  Their  extensive  itinerating  work  in  sev- 
eral of  the  northern  states  is  all- conducted  from  the  cities  of 
Bahia  and  Pernambuco.  In  the  latter  place  they  have  the  best 
organized  centralized  mission  that  I  have  visited.  Five  mission- 
ary families  live  in  the  mission  compound,  a  beautiful  property, 
well  suited  for  the  work.  Here  they  have  their  general  school, 
with  special  departments  for  training  ministers  and  teachers,  who 
are  sent  out  to  all  Northern  Brazil.  They  have  the  largest  min- 
isterial class  in  Latin  America,  between  twenty-five  and  thirty. 
The  students  are  all  self-supporting,  either  through  the  printing 
shop,  pastoral  service  or  other  work.  Each  of  the  five  mission- 
aries is  a  specialist — one  an  educator,  another  a  theologian,  an- 
other an  evangelist — and  what  probably  accounts  more  for  the 
efficient  organization  than  anything  else — one  a  specialist  on  the 
business  side.  Only  one  man  has  no  specific  duties  on  the  com- 
pound, but  all  the  others,  with  him,  take  their  turn  in  itinerating 
work.  Their  trips  in  visiting  the  interior  churches  last  from 
three  to  eight  weeks.  One  man  is  kept  busy  holding  Bible  insti- 
tutes in  the  country  churches.  A  very  large  percentage  of  the 
churches  are  now  self-supporting.  The  constant  visits  of  the  mis- 
sionaries to  these  churches  keeps  them  progressive,  preventing  the 
falling  back  which  so  often  happens,  when  a  church  becomes 
financially  independent  and  is  then  left  without  stimulus  of  mis- 
sionary visitation.  A  church  extension  fund  was  begun  last  year 
by  the  missionaries,  who  put  into  it  $250.  The  churches  were  in- 
vited to  subscribe  for  shares  of  $125  apiece,  which  would  entitle 
them  to  a  loan  when  the  fund  was  in  condition  to  grant  it. 
Already  the  fund  has  accomplished  wonders  in  helping  churches 
to  help  themselves.  Every  organized  Sunday  schoool  class  in 
the  Baptist  Church  in  Pernambuco  is  paying  for  a  share  in  instal- 

136 


nients,  which  means  they  will  soon  have  one  of  the  few  special 
Sunday  school  buildings  in  Brazil.  On  an  itinerating  trip  through 
the  country  last  month,  the  missionary  had  turned  over  to  him 
$125  from  various  little  funds  which  different  congregations  had 
collected,  but  were  keeping  idle  because  they  were  not  large 
enough  to  begin  an  undertaking. 

Between  these  two  methods  of  work,  representing  roughly 
diffusion  and  concentration,  there  will  always  be  a  difference  of 
opinion.  Both  are  right ;  both  are  necessary.  The  more  one  sees 
of  mission  work,  the  more  he  is  convinced  that  it  is  not  so  much 
the  method,  but  the  man  that  counts.  The  same  man  who  built  a 
great  educational  institution  in  the  wilderness  of  Bahia  would 
have  also  developed  a  great  influence  in  the  capital  city.  The 
missionary  who  is  loved  and  followed  in  the  city,  will  draw  peo- 
ple to  him  in  the  country.  This  is  not  saying  that  men  have  not 
their  special  gifts  and  should  not  be  given  work  where  these 
can  be  used  to  the  greatest  advantage.  The  efficacy  of  mission 
work  could  be  doubled  by  taking  the  round  pegs  out  of  square 
holes  and  the  square  ones  out  of  round  holes,  putting  each  mis- 
sionary into  his  respective  place,  eliminating  friction  and  round- 
ing out  service.  But  men  of  capacity,  of  soul,  of  whom  the  peo- 
ple take  knowledge  that  they  have  been  with  Jesus,  always  attract 
and  influence  the  people.  Other  men  may  have  better  methods 
and  finer  equipment,  but  their  work  is  always  dead,  dead,  dead ! 
The  great  advances  of  modern  missions  only  prove  the  more 
surely  that  one  drop  of  red  blood  is  of  more  value  than  all  or- 
ganization, and  that  without  Christ  working  within  us  all  is 
failure. 

Denominationalism  has  been  very  strong  in  Brazil.  Doctrinal 
questions  of  baptism,  predestination,  apostolic  succession,  etc., 
have  occupied  a  large  part  of  the  church  papers  and  many  thou- 
sands of  pages  of  the  Christian  literature  in  Portuguese.  The 
defense  of  views  on  these  doctrines  seems  to  be  considered  fully 
as  important  now  as  it  was  fifty  years  ago  in  the  United  States. 
A  new  day  is  dawning,  however.  Such  movements  as  the  new 
University  Federation  and  the  Union  Seminary  mean  that  the 
missionary  forces  will  be  occupied  in  a  more  aggressive  campaign 
against  the  common  enemy  rather  than  in  magnifying  their  own 
differences.  This,  if  remarks  made  to  me  in  many  quarters  mean 
anything,  will  gain  a  much  larger  respect  for  the  evangelical 
cause  among  the  public  at  large. 

If  the  money  spent  in  controversial  literature  had  been  spent 

137 


in  the  production  of  standard  works  of  durable  value,  the  Portu- 
guese would  not  now  be  nearly  so  needy  in  this  important  field. 

The  schism  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  to  which  reference  has 
been  made  occurred  in  1903.  The  three  principal  questions  in- 
volved were:  The  Church's  educational  policy,  especially  as  re- 
lated to  Mackenzie  College  and  the  Theological  Seminary;  the 
relationship  of  the  missionaries  to  the  National  Church,  and  the 
Church's  attitude  toward  Masonry.  The  churches  that  withdrew 
under  the  leadership  of  Dr.  Eduardo  Pereira  were  formed  into 
the  Independent  Presbyterian  Church.  To-day  it  has  some  7,000 
members  and  maintains  a  splendid  school  and  theological  semi- 
nary, and  a  home  mission  Board  that  helps  many  weak  churches. 
The  various  union  committees  and  organizations  growing  out  of 
the  work  of  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  has  brought  about  a 
movement  for  the  union  of  those  two  churches,  and  the  time  does 
not  seem  far  distant  when  it  will  be  an  accomplished  fact.  Work- 
ers in  Brazil  often  made  the  remark  to  me  that  if  the  Panama 
Congress  had  done  nothing  but  bring  about  the  splendid  fellow- 
ship which  now  exists  between  these  two  bodies,  it  would  have 
been  worth  all  that  it  cost  in  time  and  money. 

If  the  example  of  this  division  in  Brazil  serves  to  save  other 
churches  from  a  similar  catastrophe,  it  will  not  have  been  alto- 
gether without  benefit.  The  Brazilian  leaders  are  very  anxious 
about  this  matter.  Both  Dr.  Pereira  and  Dr.  Reis  referred  often 
in  our  conference  to  the  fact  that  they  saw  these  divisions  com- 
ing in  Chile  and  Argentina,  if  a  better  understanding  did  not 
develop  between  missionaries  and  nationals.  Dr.  Pereira  said : 
"Panama  should  do  great  things  in  saving  divisions  in  the  young 
churches  on  the  field.  There  is  great  harm  in  sporadic  efforts  at 
independence.  Now  is  the  time  to  prevent  great  shocks  between 
missionaries  and  nationals.  We  must  not  have  these  shocks,  for 
it  means  that  the  work  suffers.  It  is  easy  to  understand  how 
they  come.  In  Chile,  for  example,  young  men  of  the  lower  class 
have  been  given  two  years  of  Bible  study  and  then  sent  out  into 
evangelical  work.  These  Chilean  rotos  are  of  strong  blood.  What 
can  you  expect?  Without  real  education,  they  are  soon  going 
to  assert  their  independence.  The  missionary  knows  they  are  not 
capable  of  leadership,  so  he  opposes  giving  the  authority.  And 
then  comes  the  division."  Dr.  Reis  said,  in  his  eloquent,  dram- 
atic way:  'T  pray  you  not  to  stifle  these  young,  struggling 
churches  groping  toward  independence  in  Chile  and  Argentina. 
It  would  be  the  greatest  of  crimes."     Both  he  and  Dr.  Pereira 

138 


agreed  that  the  only  way  to  solve  the  problem  of  independence 
was  by  an  educated  ministry.  Experience  in  Brazil  shows  this. 
If  the  independent  church  had  not  been  under  the  leadership  of 
an  educated  ministry,  it  is  hard  to  tell  what  might  have  been  the 
results.  As  it  was,  the  results  are  bad  enough.  At  the  time 
of  the  division,  the  church  had  a  strong  influence  among  the  lead- 
ing people  of  the  state  of  Sao  Paulo,  the  most  progressive  in 
Brazil,  and  it  looked  as  though  in  a  few  years  Protestantism 
would  count  among  its  members  the  best  people  of  the  state.  With 
the  strife  that  followed  the  division,  multitudes  have  become  in- 
different to  religion,  and  the  whole  cause  of  evangelical  Chris- 
tianity has  received  a  blow  from  which  it  will  take  many  a  long 
day  to  recover. 

The  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  and  Unity  for 
the  Brazilian  Regional  Conference  told  me  he  started  at  the  prep- 
aration of  the  report  of  his  committee,  believing  that  it  would 
be  impossible,  even  undesirable,  to  have  one  evangelical  church  in 
Brazil.  But  his  investigations  proved  to  hmi  beyond  doubt  that 
this  was  the  only  thing  that  would  bring  Brazil  to  Christ. 

It  was  encouraging  to  hear  so  many  workers  testify  that  the 
Panama  Congress  had  brought  a  new  spirit  to  the  evangelical 
work  in  Brazil.  "Old  schisms  are  being  healed  ;  missionaries  and 
nationals  are  feeling  closer  to  one  another.  The  things  that  used 
to  divide  us  are  things  that  now  unite  us.  If  the  Congress  does 
nothing  more  than  to  establish  a  union  seminary  for  Brazil,  it 
will  be  worth  while."  These  are  among  the  grateful  expressions 
one  hears  from  the  workers.  The  Panama  Reports  have  been 
sympathetically  reviewed  by  the  newspapers,  and  even  quoted  in 
Congress. 

Several  of  the  keenest  students  of  the  evangelical  cause  ex- 
pressed deep  solicitude  over  the  fact  that  the  Brazilian  church 
has  not  awakned  to  its  sense  of  duty  to  the  community  at  large, 
nor  to  its  responsibility  for  the  general  moral  condition  of  the 
people.  Some  of  the  most  important  Brazilian  churches  are  lo- 
cated in  the  midst  of  prostitution  of  the  vilest  kind,  so  that  one 
wonders  if  it  would  not  be  better  for  young  people  to  stay  at  home 
than  to  go  to  church,  when  they  are  thus  compelled  to  pass 
through  districts  infested  by  the  most  revolting  forms  of  vice. 
The  Methodist  Church  has  opened  the  only  two  institutional 
churches  in  Brazil,  and  the  institutional  department  of  one  of 
these  has  recently  been  closed.  The  People's  Central  Institute 
of  Rio,  in  charge  of  Dr.  Tucker,  is  doing  a  magnificent  work,  in 

139 


which  it  is  receivin.s:  the  support  of  many  public  men  of  the  city. 
The  same  work  is  condemned  by  some  of  the  church  leaders,  who 
believe  that  only  the  preaching  from  the  pulpit  is  gospel  work. 

There  is  great  need  of  literature  in  Portuguese,  which  will 
awaken  the  Brazilian  church  to  what  is  being  done  by  the  church 
in  other  parts  of  the  world  along  social  lines.  Dr.  Magalhaes 
of  Rio  de  Janeiro  says : 

"We  have  in  Brazil  many  poets,  many  orators,  many  artists,  many 
journalists^  but  rare  are  the  public  men  who  dedicate  themselves  to  social 
studies.  Few  indeed  are  the  books  which  treat  of  questions  concerning 
national  economy.  We  frequently  see  our  scientists  forgetting  their  pros- 
pects of  a  real  and  irrevocable  immortality  and  electing  rather  the  ephem- 
eral laurels  of  romance  and  of  the  theater." 

Here,  then,  is  one  of  the  great  opportunities  for  the  evangeh- 
cal  movement,  save  what  this  same  author  calls  "The  Great  Sick 
Man  of  South  America."  So  far  it  has  never  occurred  to  earnest 
students  of  their  country's  ills  (and  Dr.  Magalhaes  is  sympa- 
thetic toward  the  gospel)  that  religion  has  anything  to  do  with 
the  cure  of  this  national  infirmity.  He  mentions  four  remedies : 
(i^  Obligatory  military  service;  (2)  The  Boy  Scout  movement; 
(3)  Well-balanced  education ;  (4)  Constitutional  government. 

The  necessity  that  the  Church  take  a  vital  interest  in  commu- 
nity life  has  been  emphasized  by  a  Brazilian  gentleman  of  high 
standing  in  the  following  declaration :  "Political  conditions  in 
Brazil  are  rotten  ;  that  the  next  President  of  the  Republic  will 
probably  be  an  old  man,  a  mere  figurehead,  to  be  used  by  the 
politicians,  among  whom  are  the  Secretary  of  State  of  Sao  Paulo, 
and  the  old  man's  son,  a  young  doctor.  Labor  troubles,  too,  are 
becoming  very  prominent  now.  In  a  recent  strike  in  Sao  Paulo, 
about  one  thousand  men  were  killed  when  soldiers  fired  for  an 
hour  into  the  mob.  A  group  of  newspaper  men  took  the  part  of 
the  laborers,  who  wished  to  have  their  wages  raised.  Immedi- 
ately prices  were  raised  twenty  to  twenty-five  per  cent.  One  Ital- 
ian in  Sao  Paulo,  who  has  been  recently  made  a  count  by  the 
Italian  King  because  of  his  enormous  contribution  to  the  war 
fund,  controlled  all  the  flour  industry.  His  boats  run  to  Argen- 
tina and  other  countries  to  bring  in  his  wheat.  Foreign  invest- 
ors have  done  much  to  corrupt  politics  by  paying  enormous  sums 
as  bribes.  In  Brazil,  street  cars  are  called  'bonds.'  because  when 
the  English  company  put  in  electric  cars  at  Rio  there  was  a  great 
scandal  in  connection  with  bonds  sold  by  a  Government  official, 
and  so  people  called  the  cars  bonds.  'Brazil  is  a  hospital  presided 
over  by  a  lot  of  lunatics,'  is  the  way  one  man  puts  it. 

141 J 


"The  new  law  which  grants  suffrage  to  those  who  can  read  and 
write  and  have  certain  property  may  mean  an  aristocratic  ten- 
dency. Public  opinion  is  against  reform.  A  friend  recently  tried 
to  have  prohibited  the  selling  of  obscene  literature  on  trains. 
The  Literary  Club  to  which  he  belongs  said,  *No,  this  would  be 
a  reflection  on  the  fine  gentlemen  who  manage  the  road.'  Dr. 
Bandera,  elected  as  a  delegate  to  the  White  Slave  Convention  in 
London,  prepared  a  report  on  conditions  in  Brazil,  but  was  not 
allowed  to  publish  it.  He  died  a  disappointed  man  because  his 
hands  were  tied  in  his  efforts  toward  reform." 

Medical   Work 

In  Brazil,  as  in  other  Latin-American  fields,  few  medical  mis- 
sionaries are  maintained.  The  Presbyterians  have  one  physician 
in  the  state  of  Bahia  and  one  in  Pernambuco ;  the  Baptists  have 
two  in  Northern  Brazil.  There  is  no  question  about  the  need  for 
greatly  enlarging  this  force.  In  Recife,  a  city  of  250,000,  there 
is  no  trained  nurse,  and  no  physician  in  whom  the  missionaries 
can  have  full  confidence.  The  Presbyterians  recently  sent  a  phy- 
sician into  the  interior  of  Bahia,  largely  because  the  missionaries 
were  living  several  days'  journey  from  a  doctor.  The  health 
conditions  of  Porto  Alegre  remind  one  of  those  of  the  great  in- 
terior cities  of  China.  The  city  water  is  taken  out  of  the  same 
stream  into  which  the  sewerage,  an  open  drain,  is  emptied.  The 
city  was  full  of  smallpox  when  I  was  there,  but  no  effort  was 
made  to  isolate  the  cases  or  enforce  vaccination.  The  Rocke- 
feller Health  Commission  recently  inspected  the  city  and  offered 
to  put  it  into  first-class  sanitary  condition  if  the  authorities  would 
guarantee  to  continue  the  work.  The  offer  w^as  declined.  Any 
one  can  practice  medicine  by  simply  paying  the  required  fee 
charged  for  a  license.  In  Bahia,  Recife  and  Para  one  sees  the 
most  horrible  sights  of  poor  people  eaten  up  by  disease,  wath  no 
remedy  in  sight.  If  such  are  the  needs  of  the  coast  cities,  what 
must  the  condition  be  of  the  far-off  interior!  A  dozen  medical 
missionaries  scattered  through  Northern  Brazil  would  do  more 
than  anything  else  to  commend  the  gospel  to  the  people. 

Educational  Problems 

"I  predict  that  before  you  brethren  get  out  of  the  country,  you 
will  come  to  this  conclusion :  Brazil's  greatest  need  is  education — 
schools,  beginning  with  the  primary  and  running  clear  on  up  into 
the  university."     Thus  spoke  one  of  the  workers  to  Dr.  Brown- 

141 


ing  and  me  in  the  first  conference  we  had  in  Brazil,  down  on 
the   southern  border. 

The  last  conversation  I  had  in  Para,  under  the  beating  rays  of 
an  equatorial  sun,  was  about  the  need  of  education  in  the  great 
Amazon  Valley.  In  the  states  of  Para,  with  more  than  a  million 
people,  Amazonas,  three  times  as  large  as  Germany,  and  in  the 
territory  extending  on  through  Peru  to  the  Pacific  Ocean,  there 
is  not  an  evangelical  school,  and  few  of  any  kind  whatever.  Yet 
this  is  the  Amazon  Valley  that  Agassiz  predicted,  on  his  visit  in 
1868,  would  be  the  center  of  the  world's  civilization.  In  Para, 
the  modern  city  of  200,000  people,  the  average  attendance  of  the 
schools  numbers  4,000.  In  the  interior  of  the  Amazon  Valley 
there  are  practically  no  schools.  The  reply  to  a  question  about 
the  establishment  of  an  evangelical  school  in  Para  was  that  it 
would  meet  with  all  kinds  of  difficulties,  because  grades  and 
diplomas  were  matters  of  pull  and  favor.  As  an  illustration,  the 
fact  was  cited  that  a  law  had  been  recently  passed,  through  the 
influence  of  a  director  of  a  private  school,  making  it  extremely 
difficult  for  students  to  secure  their  passing  marks.  When  they 
fail,  he  guarantees  to  have  them  pass  if  they  take  a  course  in  his 
school.  He  is  also  teacher  in  the  Government  gymnasium  and  is 
prepared  to  make  good  his  promise. 

Returning  from  this  conversation  to  the  ship,  I  picked  up  Dr. 
Megalhaes's  pamphlet  on  "The  Great  Sick  Man  of  South  Amer- 
ica," and  read: 

"The  great  mass  of  our  people  present  the  saddest  state  of  illiteracy.  It 
is  not  erroneous  to  calculate  more  than  eighty  per  cent,  of  our  fellow  citi- 
zens who  are  not  even  able  to  read  and  write.  This  percentage  is  so 
excessive,  so  deplorable,  placing  us  in  a  position  greatly  inferior  to  other 
cultured  nations  of  America  and  the  world,  that  one  of  our  distinguished 
men  has  recently  proposed  to  change  our  name  from  Brazil  to  Analpha- 
hctahndia    (the  land  of  illiterates)." 

And  the  illustrious  Bomfin  makes  this  impassioned  appeal 
to  his  people : 

'Let  us  make  a  campaign  against  our  ignorance.  There  is  no  other 
way  to  save  this  America  of  ours.  Our  many  expedients  and  our  polit- 
ical wisdom  have  now  contributed  all  they  are  able  to  give.  That  progress 
which  some  count  by  tax  receipts,  others  by  the  number  of  ships,  and 
others  in  the  extent  of  mines  operated,  not  only  is  badly  defined— it  is 
fal^e  and  illusory.  Progress  must  be  made  by  society  in  its  totality; 
and  this  is  only  attained  by  the  education  and  culture  of  each  social 
element.* 


America  Latina,  Manoel  Bomfin.  page  400. 

142 


The  evangelical  movement  has  gained  the  gratitude  of  the 
Brazilian  people  for  its  splendid  contribution  to  this  campaign. 
I  am  sorry  there  is  not  space  in  this  report  to  review  the  splen- 
did work  done  by  each  of  the  fifteen  boarding  schools  which  I 
visited,  with  property  valued  at  one  million  and  a  half  dollars. 
But  here  one  can  only  touch  the  problem  of  cooperation,  which 
is  the  most  vital  of  the  many  to  be  faced. 

The  first  literature  ever  issued  by  the  Committee  on  Coopera- 
tion in  Latin  America,  a  circular  dated  in  1913,  called  attention, 
among  other  cooperative  possibilities  in  Latin  America,  to  a  pro- 
posal made  by  Dr.  S.  R.  Gammon  of  the  "Institute  Evangelico" 
of  Lavras,  for  a  federation  of  the  evangelical  schools  of  Brazil. 
After  several  years  of  informal  discussion  of  the  plan,  both  by 
the  Boards  and  the  Brazilian  workers,  a  conference  was  called 
which  met  last  December  at  Sao  Paulo  and  formally  adopted  a 
scheme  of  federation.  Every  considerable  school  in  Brazil  was 
presented.  The  proposal  was  made  to  form  an  Evangelical  Llni- 
versity  Federation,  which  means,  in  Portuguese,  something  that 
is  trying  to  be  a  university  and  isn't  yet.  This  federation  was 
to  consist  of  all  superior  schools  having  more  than  ten  pupils, 
and  of  all  preparatory  schools  having  more  than  twenty  pupils. 
The  federation  was  to  have  under  its  care  all  primary  schools 
and  all  minor  superior  and  preparatory  schools  willing  to  be  en- 
rolled. It  was  to  be  governed  by  a  council  consisting  of  one 
representative  of  each  membership  school  and  one  representative 
of  each  Church  or  Board  having  no  membership  school,  but 
schools  under  the  care  of  the  Federation.  The  council  was  to 
have  a  governing  committee  presided  over  by  a  chancellor,  and 
to  do  its  work  through  committees  on  courses,  text-books,  exam- 
inations and  diplomas,  these  matters  being  the  sphere  of  the  Fed- 
eration's control.  Property,  finances  and  discipline  were  to  re- 
main exactly  as  at  present.  The  Federation  was  joined  by  four 
superior  schools  and  eleven  preparatory  schools,  a  large  number 
of  primary  schools,  and  incomplete  superior  and  preparatory 
schools  were  put  under  its  care.  A  primary  school  was  defined 
as  comprehending  the  first  five  years  of  school  life,  a  preparatory 
school  the  next  six ;  and  a  superior  school  was  to  require  at  least 
eleven  years  of  antecedent  school  life  and  to  ofifer  at  least  two 
years  of  study. 

The  advantages  of  such  a  federation  are  too  many  to  mention. 
Brazil  has  no  university.  There  are  a  number  of  strong  profes- 
sional schools,  but  they  are  not  coordinated.     This  federation  of 

143 


evangelical  schools,  with  the  strengthening-  of  the  present  institu- 
tions, and  the  opening  of  law,  medical  and  teachers'  colleges 
would  give  the  evangelical  churches  the  one  university  in  the 
largest  country  in  Latin  America.  With  the  circle  of  professional 
schools  completed,  with  uniform  courses  and  examinations  lead- 
ing from  secondary  schools  to  professional  courses,  Government 
recognition  could  be  secured,  thus  placing  the  graduates  on  the 
same  footing  as  those  of  the  Government  professional  schools. 
A  federation  representing  four  or  five  thousand  pupils,  with  a 
trained  corps  of  teachers  working  on  a  well-organized  plan  of 
education,  would  in  a  few  years  exert  a  tremendous  influence  on 
the  whole  educational  program  of  Brazil.  One  item  in  the  pro- 
gram adopted  at  Sao  Paulo  is  the  establishment  of  secondary 
schools,  as  rapidly  as  possible,  in  every  state  that  as  yet  has  none. 

The  workers  are  very  much  in  earnest  about  the  development 
of  this  plan.  They  point  to  the  recommendations  of  the  Panama 
Congress,  of  which  so  much  has  been  said  in  the  homelands,  of 
two  or  three  real  universities  in  Latin  America.  .  Here  is  a  chance 
to  make  this  talk  become  a  reality^  After  deliberation  in  repre- 
sentative Brazilian  conferences,  both  in  Sao  Paulo  and  Rio  de 
Janeiro,  a  resolution  was  passed  calling  for  the  help  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  Cooperation  to  raise  one  million  dollars  for  the  realiza- 
tion of  the  plan.  Half  of  this  amount  would  go  to  strengthening 
the  existing  schools,  the  Engineering  School  of  Mackenzie,  the 
schools  of  Pharmacy  and  Dentistry  of  Granbery,  the  Agricultural 
School  at  Lavras,  and  the  establishment  of  the  proposed  Union 
Theological  Seminary.  The  other  half  million  would  be  for  the 
opening  of  new  schools  of  law,  medicine  and  education.  This  en- 
tire fund  would  not  be  expended  for  some  ten  years.  The  gov- 
erning committee  of  the  federation  have  the  whole  expenditure 
carefully  calculated. 

The  committee,  in  pointing  out  the  fact  that  they  are  not  ask- 
ing for  unreasonable  things,  show  the  strength  of  the  present 
evangelical  educational  work  in  Brazil,  the  value  of  the  property 
of  present  secondary  schools  being  a  million  and  a  half  dollars, 
with  five  thousand  students,  and  a  magnificent  corps  of  teachers, 
and  with  recognition  everywhere  as  an  important  force  in  Bra- 
zilian education.  With  such  a  start,  they  claim  that  it  will  be 
easier  to  develop  a  university  in  Brazil  than  anywhere  else  in 
Latin  America.  Here  are  one-third  of  the  people  and  one-third 
of  the  territory  of  Latin  America,  and  the  largest  Protestant  com- 
munity besides. 

144 


Not  the  least  of  the  advantages  of  such  a  university  federation 
should  be  the  securing  of  a  definite  permanent  recognition  of 
evangelical  schools  by  the  Government.  Our  schools  have  felt 
deeply  the  truth  of  the  following  observation  of  one  of  Brazil's 
leading  literary  men : 

"The  mania  to  undo  the  work  of  predecessors  affects  everything,  few 
being  wilHng  to  wait  the  long  time  necessary  to  judge  as  to  the  good  or 
bad  results  of  a  measure.  We  are  a  great  people  for  continually  trying 
new  things,  new  experiments,  sometimes  advancing  wonderfully  and  other 
times  failing  tremendously,  but  never  taking  definite,  constructive  measures. 

"The  recent  reform  of  education,  for  example,  will  strangle  every  pri- 
vate incentive,  in  a  country  where  it  ought  to  be  encouraged  by  every 
possible  means,  controlled  only  by  a  strict  inspection  of  the  public  power, 
as  is  done  in  the  United  States." 

Several  years  ago  the  federal  law  allowed  private  schools,  hav- 
ing a  certain  amount  of  money  invested,  or  of  realty,  and  con- 
senting to_^conform  to  the  prescribed  course  of  instruction  and 
submit  to  official  inspection,  to  give  diplomas  that  were  of  equal 
value  to  those  given  by  the  Government  schools,  and  that  would 
admit, students  bearing  them  to  the  official  schools  of  professional 
grade — law,  medicine,  engineering,  etc.  Let  it  be  borne  in  mind 
that  all  of  the  professional  schools  are  official,  and  that  no  man 
who  has  not  a  diploma  is  supposed  to  be  allowed  to  follow  any 
of  the  learned  professions.  There  was,  of  course,  a  great  deal  of 
red  tape  about  all  this  official  business ;  but  it  worked  fairly  well 
and  would  have  given  good  results  with  slight  modifications. 

Some  schools,  however,  began  to  trade  in  diplomas,  selling 
them  for  a  price  and  demanding  practically  no  study  of  their 
students.  The  scandals  were  frequent,  flagrant  and  increasing. 
Instead  of  seeking  to  put  an  end  to  the  abuses  and  improve  the 
law  that  was  workable,  the  congress  decided  to  have  an  entirely 
different  law  and  put  an  end  to  all  of  the  privileges  of  private 
schools.  Under  the  new  law,  no  school  can  secure  these  benefits 
save  under  conditions  that  are  practically  impossible. 

Private  schools  can  now  secure,  under  certain  conditions,  an 
official  board  of  examiners — fifteen  strong,  with  varying  qualifica- 
tions of  unfitness.  The  expense,  however,  will  run  from  three 
to  five  thousand  dollars  for  a  year. 

When  they  lost  official  recognition,  five  years  ago,  they  were 
glad  to  be  free  from  the  red  tape ;  at  first  there  was  a  falling  off 
in  attendance,  but  most  of  them  now  have  gotten  back  to  the 
largest  enrollment. 

The  state  government  has  just  passed  a  law  giving  full  recogni- 
tion to  the  Lavras  Agricultural  School. 

145 


Granbery  College  was  given  recognition  of  her  professional 
schools  by  legislative  enactment,  so  that  when  she  lost,  with  other 
schools,  the  recognition  of  her  gymnasium,  granted  by  executive 
decree,  she  still  held  the  recognition  of  the  diplomas  of  her 
schools  of  pharmacy  and  dentistry. 

In  December,  1916,  the  Evangelical  University  Federation,  on 
the  initiative  of  representatives  of  the  existing  seminaries,  pre- 
sented to  the  churches  and  the  Mission  Boards  in  Brazil  a  plan 
for  a  union  seminary.  It  included  the  formation  of  an  Evangeli- 
cal Theological  Association,  which  will  be  composed  of  official 
representatives  of  the  several  evangelical  churches  and  Mission 
Boards,  each  denomination  to  choose  two  and  each'  Board  one. 
The  Association  will  fix  the  number  of  professors,  never  less  than 
four,  who  will  be  appointed  by  it  on  nomination  of  the  various 
churches.  The  Association  will  have  power  to  appoint  directly 
any  professor  whose  services  it  considers  of  great  importance 
to  the  seminary.  The  Association  will  make  an  annual  budget 
for  the  seminary,  including  expenses  of  the  professorate,  and 
excluding  expenses  with  the  students,  and  will  assess  the  churches 
and  Board  to  furnish  the  funds  needed.  Each  denomination  will 
maintain  its  own  students. 

The  faculty  of  the  seminary  will  consist  of  all  the  professors, 
one  of  whom  will  be  chosen  by  the  trustees  to  preside. 

The  Association  will  arrange  with  the  evangelical  schools  the 
organization  of  a  sufficient  preparatory  course  to  give  a  rig^ht  to 
matriculation  in  the  seminary. 

The  chancellor  of  the  Evangelical  University  Federation  will 
convoke  for  Sao  Paulo  a  meeting  of  the  representatives  appointed 
bv  the  several  corporations  to  organize  the  Association  and  ad- 
vance its  ends. 

The  chancellor,  being  advised  of  the  appointment  of  most  of 
the  representatives  of  Boards  and  churches,  convened  a  meeting 
of  the  provisional  board  for  August  28  at  10.30  at  Mackenzie 
College,  to  take  advantage  of  the  presence  of  the  representatives 
of  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Latin  America  without 
awaiting  the  final  action  of  the  Methodist  and  Southern  Presby- 
terian Boards,  both  of  which  had  approved  the  plan  in  general 

After  recognizing  the  above  plan  as  the  basis  of  their  delibera- 
tions, and  declaring  that  their  decisions  were  taken  ad  refer- 
endum, the  trustees  adopted  the  following  preamble: 

146 


We  consider  that  the  preparation  of  a  suitable  national  evangelical 
ministry  is  tlie  great  necessity  of  the  Evangelical  propaganda  in  Brazil 
and  the  only  means  of  implanting  the  Gospel  in  the  national  life. 

Vv  e  consider  that  for  this  purpose  we  should  choose  a  center  of  national 
and  evangelical  life  where  the  spirit  may  broaden  in  the  concept  of  one 
and  the  other. 

We  consider  that  the  preparation  implies  the  need,  not  only  of  a  solid 
training  in  theology,  Imt  also  of  a  solid  and  fitting  training  in  preparatory 
studies  as  an  inseparable  foundation. 

W'e  consider  that  such  a  result  is  at  present  realizable  only  by  the 
hearty  cooperation  of  the  Evangelical  elements  that  labor  in  the  evangeli- 
zation of  the  country. 

It  was  then  resolved : 

That  the  seat  of  the  Seminary  shall  be  at  the  Federal  capital; 

That  at  least  16,000  square  meters  of  land  should  be  acquired; 

That  a  principal  building  shall  be  constructed  with  assembly  hall, 
library,  four  class  rooms,  two  ofiices  ;  a  dormitory  for  at  least  thirty-two 
students  with  study  and  bed-room  or  each  pair  of  students  ;  dining,  rest 
and  receptions  rooms  and  kitchen;  and  four  professor's  houses.  The  cost 
of  the  plan  was  estimated  at  $100,000. 

It'  was  resolved  to  make  a  general  appeal  to  the  Brazilian 
Church,  and  by  means  of  the  Cooperation  Committees  to  the 
Boards,  for  this  sum.  Mr.  Inman  promised  to  take  the  matter 
up  with  his  committee. 

Revs.  Waddell,  Reis  and  Tucker  were  made  a  committee  on 
ground,  plans  and  buildings,  and  Revs.  Waddell,  Reis,  Pereira, 
Tavares  and  Souza  a  committee  on  the  constitution  of  the  semi- 
nary and  the  steps  preliminary  to  incorporation. 

The  seminary  course  was  fixed  at  three  years. 

The  faculties  of  the  existing  seminaries  were  requested  to  pro- 
pose a  curriculum  for  the  new  seminary. 

Under  Article  IV.  of  the  plan,  it  was  resolved  that : 

1.  The  number  of  Professors  shall  be  four,  occupying  the  chairs  of 
Old  Testament,  New  Testament,  Theology  and  Ecclesiology.  All  theologi- 
cal subjects  will  be  divided  between  these  chairs. 

2.  These  professors  shall  give  themselves  wholly  to  the  work  of  the 
Seminary,  including  the  preparation  of  the  necessary  literature. 

3.  The  professors  shall  receive  equal  salaries  and  in  Brazilian  currency. 

4.  Homes  for  the  professors  shall  form  a  part  of  the  Seminary  prop- 
erty. 

'5.  There  shall  be  four  substitute  professors  who  may  be  pastors  or 
ministers  otherwise  employed. 

Under  Article  VII.  of  the  plan,  it  was  resolved: 

1.  To  establish  a  course  of  philosophy  of  two  years  for  gymnasium 
graduates,  graduation  from  which  will  give  matriculation  in  the  seminary. 
The  curriculum  of  this  course  will  be  determined  by  the  directors  of  the 

147 


schools  which  give  it.  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Seminary  Trustees. 
Mackenzie  in  combination  with  the  Independent  Presbyterian  school  will" 
organize  the  course.  Granbery,  Lavras  and  Ponte-Nova  are  considering 
the  matter. 

2.  In  case  candidates  present  themselves  for  matriculation  in  this 
course  who  have  not  had  the  complete  gymnasium  course  but  have  had 
other  courses,  the  Philosophy  Faculty  will  see  what  preparatory  study  they 
need  and  if  possilbe  arrange  a  course  for  them. 

The  East  Brazil  Mission,  by  letter  and  by  its  representative 
for  itself  and  for  its  Board  ;  the  representatives  of  the  Methodist 
and  Presbyterian  (North)  Boards,  and  of  the  Committees  on 
Cooperation,  declared  that  they  had  every  reason  to  think  that 
the  resolutions  taken  would  be  highly  satisfactory  to  their  corpor- 
ations. 

There  are  now  seven  theological  seminaries  in  Brazil.  There 
seems  to  be  no  doubt  that  all  of  these  except  the  two  Baptist 
Seminaries  will  enter  the  new  organization.  Three  of  these  are 
supported  by  Brazilian  churches.  The  Presbyterian  Seminary  has 
a  good  property  at  Campinas,  and  some  endowment  which,  if 
used,  would  enable  them  to  take  more  than  their  proportionate 
share.  It  is  hoped,  however,  that  the  churches  will  raise  the 
money  without  selling  the  properties.  It  would  be  a  calamity  to 
close  such  an  educational  plant  as  that  at  Campinas,  the  first  mis- 
sion school  in  South  America,  which  for  fifty  years  has  been  a 
great  influence  in  all  that  surrounding  community.  Without 
doubt  the  plan  will  meet  with  the  hearty  support  of  the  Bra- 
zilian churches,  which  will  desire  to  take  as  large  a  financial  part 
in  the  enterprise  as  possible,  probably  half  of  it.  The  Mission 
Boards  will  be  asked  to  supplement  their  offerings,  and  this 
should  be  done  with  enthusiasm,  as  soon  as  the  churches  deter- 
mine how  much  they  can  raise. 

Before  passing  from  the  subject  of  education,  mention  must  be 
made  of  at  least  one  more  of  the  interesting  projects  ahead — a 
girls'  college  in  Rio  de  Janeiro.  The  Woman's  Board  of  the 
Methodist  Church  (South)  plans  to  put  in  $150,000  for  the  estab- 
lishment of  such  a  school.  This  is  not  sufificient  to  secure  the 
amount  of  land  that  is  needed  and  to  provide  otherwise  for 
future  development.  We  had  a  conference  with  some  of  the 
workers  concerning  the  desirability  of  making  a  union  enterprise 
of  several  Women's  Boards,  as  in  case  of  the  great  women's  col- 
leges in  China  and  India.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  some  such  coop- 
erative plan  may  be  worked  out  for  Brazil. 

148 


Literature 

^Tuch  of  the  time  in  each  conference  with  missionaries,  and 
in  the  meeting  of  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Brazil,  was 
given  to  the  important  question  of  literature.  There  is  no  union 
press  or  union  paper  in  Brazil.  The  Baptists  have  a  well-, 
equpiped  press  in  Rio  de  Janeiro.  The  Methodists  have  a  press 
in  Juiz  de  Fora,  which  they  are  now  preparing  to  move  to  Sao 
Paulo  and  enlarge  into  a  fine 'modern  plant.  There  are  several 
other  small  presses.  The  number  of  church  papers  is  legion. 
There  is  coming  to  be  more  and  more  a  unanimous  sentiment  in 
favor  of  union  in  the  three  divisions  of  the  work  of  producing 
Christian  literature  in  Portuguese:  (i)  Printing,  (2)  the  prepar- 
ation of  manuscripts,  and  (3)  distribution.  The  time  did  not 
seem  ripe  for  any  definite  plans  regarding  the  first,  but  the  sec- 
ond and  third  divisions  of  the  work  were  advanced  very  mark- 
edly. After  a  most  careful  discussion  of  the  whole  matter,  the 
following  decision  was  made  by  the  Committee  on  Cooperation 
in  Brazil : 

1.  That  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Latin  America  be  requested 
to  appoint  a  companion  to  Dr.  Winton  in  publication  work  for  the  Portu- 
guese section,  with  residence  in  Brazil.  The  Brazilian  Committee  will 
present  a  nomination  for  this  position  at  an  early  date. 

2.  That  a  sub-committee  on  literature  be  appointed  by  the  Committee 
on  Cooperation  in  Brazil,  which  shall  be  authorized  to  execute  all  work  in 
reference  to  translations,  adaptations  and  manuscripts,  and  the  publication 
and  circulation  of  the  same. 

3.  That  there  be  established  in  Rio  de  Janeiro  -a  central  literature  de- 
pository, called  the  Brazilian  Center  of  Publicity  (Centro  Brasileiro  de 
Publicadade),  with  the  right  to  open  branch  depositories.  For  this  pur- 
pose there  be  organized  a  holding  company  with  an  initial  capital  of 
50  centos  (about  $12,500  U.  S.),  divided  into  five  thousand  shares  of  ten 
milreis  each,  with  the  privilege  of  augmenting  this  capital.  The  stock 
will  be  offered  to  the  Mission  Boards,  Bible  Societies,  and  national 
Churches.  The  Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Brazil  will  be  in  general 
responsible  for  the  enterprise.  The  bodies  concerned  are  requsted  to 
secure  the  allocation  of  ]Mr.  J.  W.  Clay,  of  the  Methodist  Publishing  House 
at  Juiz  de  Fora,  as  agent  of  the  new  concern. 

4.  That  a  bibliography  of  Portuguese  literature  be  prepared,  similar 
to  the  one  on  Spanish  literature,  by  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  in 
Latin  America. 

5.  That  an  illustrated  family  paper  be  published,  instead  of  the  re- 
view suggested  by  the  conference  of  pastors  at  Sao  Paulo.  This  has  been 
planned  for  some  time,  and  it  is  hoped  that  the  man  appointed  for  the 
publication  work  might  also  have  this  as  part  of  his  work. 

The  National  Institute  of  Sacred  Literature  is  an  organization 
recently  formed  by  Professor  Braga  and  other  literary  men  of 
the  Evangelical  Church,  along  the  lines  of  the  Institute  of  Sacred 

149 


Literature  formed  by  President  Hooper  of  the  University  of 
Chicago.  Besides  publishing  O  Reforma,  a  creditable  journal 
which  occupies  itself  with  social,  literary  and  educational  ques- 
tions, the  Institute  has  published  several  important  pamphlets.  It 
has  a  most  interesting  program  before  it,  and  has  received  as 
members  some  of  the  foremost  men  of  Brazil.  It  should  be  a 
most  useful  organization  in  the  carrying  out  of  the  program  for 
a  Christian  literature  in  Portuguese.  There  are  a  number  of  men 
connected  with  the  evangelical  church  who  are  recognized  by  the 
public  in  general  as  men  of  literary  talent.  We  should  see  that 
these  men  are  used  as  occasion  ofifers  to  produce  literature  along 
a  well-marked  out  program  directed  by,  the  Committee  on  Co- 
operation. One  such  man  has  recently  fallen  hei"r  to  an  estate, 
and  has  offered  to  dedicate  himself  to  the  work  without  charge. 

In  private  conference  with  the  Committee  on  Literature,  all 
these  matters  were  gone  over,  and  a  detailed  program  arranged. 
With  financial  backing,  the  way  is  now  open  for  a  united  effort 
for  the  production  of  a  first-class,  permanent,  Christian  literature 
in  Portuguese.  The  committee  is  fortunate  in  having  as  its 
chairman  Dr.  Erasmo  Braga,  who  brings  to  the  task  not  only  en- 
thusiasm, but  a  well-recognized  standing  as  a  man  of  letters. 
His  book  on  the  Panama  Congress,  "Pan-Americanisnio — As- 
pecto  Religioso,"  has  received  most  favorable  criticism  in  the 
Brazilian  papers. 

While  no  definite  steps  were  taken  for  the  uniting  of  papers 
and  presses,  there  is  little  doubt  but  that  the  way  has  been  opened 
for  this,  and  conference  with  leaders  secured  promises  that  these 
matters  would  soon  be  brought  to  the  fore. 

There  is  a  particularly  large  field  open  for  cooperation  in  Sun- 
day School  literature.  The  Brazilian  Sunday  School  Association 
has  a  comprehensive  scheme  for  the  production  of  books  for  the 
aid  of  teachers  and  officers,  and  a  resolution  was  passed  requesting 
our  committee  to  help  in  this  program.  The  Methodists,  who 
have  given  much  attention  to  the  production  of  Sunday  School 
lesson  helps,  are  furnishing  these  entirely  for  several  denomina- 
tions. In  the  enlargement  of  their  plant,  other  denominations 
might  help  financially,  and  an  interdenominational  board  of  ed- 
itors could  be  created  for  Sunday  School  literature. 
Other  Questions  of  Cooperation 

As  in  some  of  the  other  countries,  I  found  that  the  work  of  the 
Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Brazil  was  little  known  outside  the 
capital.     Unfortunately  the  president  of  the  committee  had  been 

150 


absent  most  of  the  time  since  the  Regional  Conference.  In  the 
meantime,  the  Evangehcal  University  Federation  had  been 
formed  and  was  pursuing  an  active  program,  with  no  connection 
with  the  Committee  on  Cooperation,  which  was  supposed  to  be 
the  official  representative  of  all  evangelical  bodies  in  matters  in- 
volving cooperation. 

The  leaders  of  the  Federation  were  present  at  the  recent  meet- 
ing of  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Rio  de  Janeiro  when  it 
was  officially  constituted,  however,  and  cordially  agreed  that  the 
Federation  be  considered  the  Cooperation  Committee's  Sub- 
Committee  on  Education.  Thus  the  possibility  of  a  confusion  of 
forces  in  cooperative  work  has  been  defeated,  and  all  are  har- 
moniously united  in  the  one  Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Brazil, 
which  is  recognized  as  being  the  clearing  house  for  all  interde- 
nominational and  union  activities. 

Some  of  the  other  actions  of  the  committee  at  its  recent  meet- 
ing were :  "Recognizing  our  great  deficiencv  in  caring  for  the 
orphan,  that  we  appeal  to  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Latin 
America  to  assist  in  raising  a  fund  of  500  contos  (about  $125,- 
000)  for  the  founding  of  a  worthy  orphanage,  with  a  manual 
training  school  annexed^  in  Rio  de  Janeiro."  A  Committee  on 
Survey  and  Occupation  was  appointed,  which,  it  is  hoped,  will  be 
able  to  work  out  some  of  the  problems  already  suggested  along 
this  line.  If  the  inclusive  plans  for  the  federation  of  the  evan- 
gelical schools  with  adjustment  of  courses,  etc.,  are  to  be  carried 
out,  some  one  will  have  to  give  most  of  his  time  to  it  for  the 
next  two  years  at  least.  It  is  to  be  hoped  also  that  the  chairman 
of  the  general  Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Brazil  may  be  able 
to  give  some  definite  time  to  promoting  the  general  interests  of 
cooperation  in  Brazil.  We  must  certainly  comply  with  the  re- 
quest of  the  Brazilian  Committee  for  a  man  to  give  his  whole 
time  to  the  development  of  Christian  literature  in  Portuguese. 

The  far-reaching  programs  for  cooperative  educational  and  lit- 
erary enterprises  for  which  Brazil  has  asked  our  committee's 
backing,  challenge  us  to  heroic  effort.  Their  accomplishment 
would  have  a  splendid  effect  on  all  Latin  America.  More  space 
has  been  given  to  reporting  conditions  in  Brazil  than  to  other 
countries  because  the  evangelical  work  has  developed  so  much 
more  there.  The  lessons  of  that  development  can  be  of  great 
help  to  the  whole  field.  Visits  of  some  of  the  Brazilian  leaders 
to  the  churches  in  other  countries  would  be  helpful,  as  was 
shown  by  the  work  of  some  of  these  men  on  their  way  to  and 
from  the  Panama  Congress. 

151 


XIV.    CONCLUSIONS 

OCCUPATION  OF  TERRITORY 

There  is  need  for  the  entrance  of  some  new  Mission  Boards 
into  the  northern  part  of  South  America  for  the  occupation  of 
these  greatly  neglected  fields.  The  only  organized  Board  that  is 
doing  any  work  in  Ecuador  is  the  Christian  and  Missionary  Al- 
liance, which  has  made  little  progress  so  far  and  does  not  contem- 
plate any  educational  or  institutional  work.  There  is  deep  need 
for  a  Board  with  a  comprehensive  evangelistic,  educational,  in- 
stitutional program  to  enter  Ecuador.  Some  of  the  faithiul  in- 
dependent missionaries  there  would  no  doubt  cooperate  in  such 
a  program.  The  ability  of  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland  to 
largely  develop  its  work  in  Peru  will  decide  whether  or  not  it 
will  be  necessary  to'  invite  another  Board  into  that  country. 
Northern  Brazil  is  one  of  the  most  neglected  fields  in  the  world. 
A  new  Board  could  find  a  large  work  there.  But  it  should  be 
one  that  would  coordinate  its  work  with  one  of  the  three  existing 
bodies  there  so  as  not  to  introduce  new  denominational  confusion. 

The  Presbyterians  (U.  S.  A.)  and  the  Methodist  Episcopals,  the 
two  Boards  who  have  the  largest  work  in  South  America,  could 
do  much  more  by  a  better  distribution  of  their  forces.  It  would  be 
preferable  for  the  Presbyterians  to  enlarge  their  forces  in  Vene- 
zuela and  Colombia  rather  than  to  invite  other  Boards  into  these 
greatly  neglected  countries.  The  Methodists  might  redistribute 
their  work,  principally  in  Chile,  so  that  it  would  be  confined  to 
a  triangle,  the  base  of  which  would  run  from  Buenos  Aires 
through  Mendoza  to  Valparaiso,  the  second  side  on  up  the  Pacific 
Coast  to  Lima,  and  the  hypothenuse  from  Lima  through  to  La  Paz, 
Tucuman,  Cordova  and  Buenos  Aires.  This  would  involve  little 
more  than  an  exchange  of  territory  with  the  Presbyterians  in 
Chile.  It  would  make  it  very  much  easier  for  Episcopal  super- 
vision and  for  closer  relationships  between  all  Methodist  workers. 
I  do  not  believe  that  Latin  America  can  ever  be  occupied  until 
each  Mission  Board  has  adjusted  its  territory,  not  only  in  rela- 
tionship to  others  who  occupy  a  particular  field,  but  in  regard 
to  its  work  as  a  whole,  in  all  these  countries.  The  most  important 
thing  in  considering  territorial  questions  in  Latin  America  to- 
day is  not  the  avoiding  of  denominational  rivalry,  but  a  more 
scientific  distribution  of  forces  in  order  that  every  part  of  the  field 

shall  receive  the  Gospel. 

152 


Where  there  is  an  exchange  of  fields,  the  independence  of  the 
churches  must  always  be  considered.  Harm  has  been  done  to  this 
whole  question  by  not  properly  guarding  this  point.  There  is  no 
particular  objection  to  a  Church's  maintaining  its  old  ecclesiasti- 
cal relationship  when  the  denomination  leaves  a  certain  field,  if 
that  Church  is  willing  to  pay  the  price  of  self-support  and  self- 
propagation.  In  fact,  this  is  a  very  good  way  for  the  responsibil- 
ity of  self-support  to  be  put  on  congregations.  A  Mission  Board 
has  no  right  to  exchange  people  from  one  communion  to  another. 
They  only  have  the  responsibility  of  spending  the  funds  entrusted 
to  them  in  the  way  that  it  will  reach  the  most  people  with  the 
Christian  message.  They  can  and  should  change  their  workers, 
schools  and  institutions  from  one  place  to  another  when  it  seems 
best  for  the  economy  of  the  Kingdom  of  God.  But  individual 
Christians  should  be  left  to  decide  whether  they  will  change  their 
ecclesiastical  relationships  or  not.  Time  is  the  best  arranger  of 
these  matters.  Congregations  should  never  be  forced.  Often, 
however,  it  is  only  in  the  mind  of  the  missionary  that  a  congrega- 
tion is  so  indoctrinated  in  a  particular  denomination  that  they 
"rather  die  than  surrender  their  convictions."  If  no  undue  pres- 
sure is  brought  to  bear  from  either  side  and  the  law  of  love  is 
supreme,  the  problem  of  the  new  relationship  will  be  solved  by 
the  churches  themselves. 

The  Needs  of  the  Indian. — The  needs  of  the  Indians  has  been 
discussed  under  the  section  on  Bolivia,  and  in  other  parts  of  the 
Report.  Over  against  the  tremendous  neglect  of  the  Indian  is  the 
fact  that  no  American  Mission  Board  is  doing  anything  for  their 
alleviation. 

I  came  in  contact  with  three  classes  of  Indians :  First,  those  of 
the  Andean  highlands,  remnants  of  the  old  Inca  empire  which 
ranged  from  Quito  to  Argentina,  lovers  of  the  soil,  numbering 
more  than  three  millions. 

Second,  the  Araucanians  of  Southern  Chile,  numbering  about 
one  hundred  thousand,  a  strong,*independent  race,  only  recently 
voluntarily  surrendering  to  Chilean  authority ;  also  agricultural 
people. 

Third,  that  great  unnumbered  host  of  Indians,  largely  remnants 
of  the  Guarani  savage,  ranging  through  the  lowlands  of  Bolivia, 
Paraguay  and  Brazil,  reaching  on  up  into  Venezuela,  Colombia 
and  Ecuador.  They  are  uncivilized,  some  practicing  cannibal  and 
other  most  primitive  customs. 

The  Araucanians  and  the  wild  tribes  of  the  Paraguayan  and 

153 


Argentine  Chaco  are  being  reached  by  the  South  American  Mis- 
sionary Society.  While  their  splendid  work  is  nothing  like  as 
large  as  it  should  be,  it  is  better  to  trust  them  to  enlarge  their 
forces  sufficient  to  serve  all  these  fields.  But  American  mission- 
ary agencies  can  no  longer  ignore  their  responsibility  for  other 
tribes.  The  Boards  having  work  nearest  these  Indians  are  nat- 
urally the  first  ones  to  look  to.  These  are  in  Colombia  and  Vene- 
zuela, the  Presbyterian  U.  S.  A. ;  Peru  and  Bolivia,  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  and  Evangelical  Union ;  Brazil,  the  two  Presbyterian 
Boards  and  the  Southern  Baptists.  The  following  six  centers  are 
suggested  for  strategic  stations  from  which  the  work  could 
spread:  (i)  Central  Peru;  (2)  Highlands  of  Bolivia;  (3)  Matto 
Grosso,  interior  Brazil;  (4)  on  the  Rio  Negro,  Brazil;  (5)  on 
the  eastern  slope  of  the  Andes,  Colombia;  (6)  Upper  Orinoco,  in 
Venezuela. 

The  constant  formation  of  independent  groups  to  evangelize 
these  Indians  is  proof  of  the  deep  interest  in  them ;  and  much  as 
we  lament  the  beginning  of  such  work,  which  practically  always 
finally  results  in  disappointment  to  all  concerned,  we  may  expect 
its  continuance  till  our  strong  Boards  organize  a  work  through 
which  such  interest  can  be  expressed.  It  seems  to  me  that  a 
meeting  of  the  representatives  of  the  Boards  mentioned,  with 
such  other  agencies  as  would  be  particularly  interested,  should 
be  held,  when  a  program  for  Indian  work  would  be  outlined.  If 
individual  Boards  are  not  able  to  undertake  it,  let  it  be  done  by 
a  cooperative  organization. 

Financial  Development. — Not  among  the  least  noticeable  of 
Latin-American  advances  is  its  growing  financial  ability.  While 
the  war  afifected  the  South  American  countries  very  seriously  at 
first,  they  are  now  recovering,  and  lessons  recently  learned  will 
probably  make  them  permanently  more  independent  from  foreign 
bankers.  As  we  have  been  forced  to  make  our  own  dyes,  Latin 
America  has  been  forced  to  do  a  thousand  things  for  itself  that 
it  had  never  done  before. 

The  three  recent  building  campaigns  of  the  Young  Men's 
Christian  Association  are  an  indication  of  the  fact  that  evangel- 
ical institutions  may  expect  to  more  and  more  largely  share  in 
the  prosperity.  In  a  few  weeks'  campaign  following  one  another, 
they  raised  an  average  of  $100,000  in  each  of  the  cities  of  Monte- 
video, Rio  de  Janeiro  and  Sao  Paulo.  A  member  of  the  Episco- 
pal Church  in  Rio  de  Janeiro  gave  $25,000  last  year  to  a  char- 
itable institution  for  which  he  is  largely  responsible.     One  of  the 

154 


evangelicals  in  Rio  de  Janeiro,  who  helped  largely  in  erecting  the 
$100,000  hospital  built  by  the  Brazilian  churches,  with  recent  ad- 
vances in  property  is  probably  worth  to-day  a  million  dollars. 

The  English,  American  and  other  foreign  colonies  are  also  a 
source  of  financial  help,  especially  in  charitable  and  educational 
enterprises.  Workers  in  Valparaiso  and  Rio  de  Janeiro  have  re- 
cently been  collecting  substantial  amounts  from  them  for  insti- 
tutional work.  Latin  Americans  are  coming  to  take  more  seri- 
ously their  responsibility  for  building  up  their  communities^  and 
as  they  increasingly  see  the  value  of  the  Evangelical  Church's 
ministry  to  their  people,  will  back  it  financially.  Dr.  Olivera 
Lima,  of  Brazil,  has  recently  given  his  private  library  of  33,000 
volumes  to  the  Catholic  University  at  Washington.  Other  nota- 
ble philanthropies  are  being  announced  with  growing  frequency. 
The  sooner  we  can  get  the  evangelical  movement  supported  on 
the  field,  the  sooner  will  the  people  consider  it  their  own.  I  be- 
lieve we  should  increasingly  appeal  to  well-to-do  Latin  Ameri- 
cans, who  are  charitably  inclined,  to  contribute  to  evangelical  en- 
terprises. 

EDUCATIONAL  PROBLEMS 

Problems  in  Coordination. — Latin  America,  like  all  mission 
fields,  has  found  it  difiicult  to  keep  the  evan'^elistic  and  educa- 
tional work  properly  coordinated.  In  the  schools  in  Chile,  edu- 
cational work  has  been  done  with  one  class  and  evangelistic  with 
another.  The  great  need  is  to  bring  both  educational  and  evan- 
gelistic work  to  bear  on  the  same  problem.  In  the  report  on 
Chile,  this  was  pointed  out  in  connection  with  Santiago  College 
and  Instituto  Ingles.  Some  think  because  these  schools  are  not 
contributing  largely  to  the  upbuilding  of  the  native  church,  that 
thev  should  be  closed.  But  it  is  hard  to  understand  how  any  one 
could  feel  this  way  when  they  know  that  thousands  of  young 
people  have  been  helped  to  better  life  and  how  community  morals 
have  been  raised  by  these  schools.  They  should  be  continued  and 
enlarged,  I  believe.  They  are  conducted  practically  without  mis- 
sion funds,  anyway,  except  for  the  property  furnished.  Their 
work  is  more  than  legitimate ;  it  is  absolutely  necessary. 

But  these  schools,  charging  high  rates  of  tuition,  which  is  their 
only  means  of  support,  and  reaching  the  better  class  of  children, 
must  not  be  expected  to  do  the  work  of  educating  the  Church's 
children,  when  these  are  from  the  lower  classes.  Such  children 
do  not  find  the  atmosphere  of  the  school  congenial,  nor  do  they 

155 


with  their  lack  of  culture  recommend  Protestantism  to  the  chil- 
dren of  the  higher  classes. 

There  must  be  schools  for  our  own  children  for  the  purpose 
of  leading  them  into  intelligent  Christian  service  in  Church  and 
State.  To  reach  a  lower  class  by  evangelism  and  to  educate  them 
till  the  church  hecomes  intellectual,  as  has  been  done  in  Brazil, 
may  even  be  better,  as  some  claim,  than  to  first  appeal  to  the 
educated  classes.  But  to  evangelize  the  lower  classes,  and  not  to 
educate  them,  is  only  pursuing  the  mistake  of  the  Roman  Catho- 
lic Church. 

To  educate  the  Church's  children,  when  these  come  from  the 
poorest  classes,  costs  money.  It  costs  money  in  this  country, 
when  they  come  from  the  better  classes.  Why  should  we  expect 
schools  to  he  self-supporting  in  South  America  zvhen  they  are  not 
in  any  other  part  of  the  world? 

Boards  congratulate  themselves  on  having  self-supporting 
schools,  when  they  fail  to  realize  that  this  self-support  has  often 
meant  the  commercializing  of  the  school — that  the  director  must 
run  it  as  the  patrons  say  and  not  as  missionary  purpose  dictates. 
If  not  this  much,  it  at  least  means  that  the  principal -reason  for 
missionary  education — the  development  of  the  Native  Church — 
is  not  being  accomplished.  I  am  well  aware  that  there  is  a  dan- 
ger here  that  some  mission  schools  are  pauperizing  the  people 
by  giving  them  education  which  costs  nothing.  I  can  illustrate 
my  point,  however,  by  citing,  as  an  example.  Ward  Institute  of 
Buenos  Aires,  which  the  Methodists  and  Disciples  of  Christ  are 
now  beginning  to  develop  jointly.  If  they  say  to  the  director  that 
the  school  must  be  self-supporting,  except  the  property  furnished, 
he  will  be  compelled  to  develop  it  along  the  lines  that  he  finds  will 
attract  the  greatest  number  of  best-paying  pupils.  If  the  pur- 
pose of  the  school  is  clearly  outlined,  however,  with  its  principal 
object  the  development  of  the  Argentine  Church,  its  courses  and 
personnel  will  be  different.  While  always  emphasizing  self-sup- 
port, yet  with  the  missions  standing  back  of  the  enterprise  finan- 
cially, it  can  carry  out  its  own  ideals  and  not  be  swerved  by  those 
who  only  seek  their  own  purposes.  But  unless  it  has  financial 
backing,  no  director  will  be  strong  enough  or  Christian  enough 
to  keep  it  to  the  purpose  of  uplifting  the  Church. 

English  as  the  Medium  of  Instruction. — A  number  of  mission 
schools  in  Latin  America  give  their  courses  in  English  instead 
of  the  language  of  the  country.  The  principal  reason  is  the  one 
of  expediency,  that  more  pupils  and  better  paying  ones  are  thus 

156 


:^ecured.  Other  minor  reasons  are  that  there  are  better  text- 
books in  English,  that  teachers  from  the  United  States  can  be- 
gin immediately  their  work  without  waiting  for  language  study, 
and  that  the  North  American  educational  system  should  be  in- 
troduced into  Latin  America.  As  to  this  latter,  a  few  hours  spent 
in  Teachers  College  these  days  might  lead  to  questioning  this. 
Of  course,  it  is  easier  not  to  be  required  to  learn  another  lan- 
guage or  to  study  another  educational  system,  but  the  principal 
reason  for  the  English  basis  is  the  financial  one.  But  does  it  give 
the  best  missionary  results  ?  The  following  objections  are  among 
those  that  are  urged  against  it : 

1.  Pupils  cannot  go  from  Mission  schools  to  Government 
schools  for  their  professional  training,  as  courses  are  entirely  dif- 
ferent, and  proficiency  in  their  mother  tongue  is  lacking. 

2.  Study  in  a  foreign  language  does  not  give  opportunity  for 
development  of  the  finest  spiritual  qualities  along  natural  lines. 
Few  pupils  in  these  schools  ever  join  the  Church,  and  those  of 
church  families  are  lost  to  the  cause  by  commercial  attractions. 

3.  The  North  American  teachers,  using  their  own  language 
and  modes  of  thought,  never  come  to  appreciate  and  enter  into 
the  life  of  the  people  whom  they  are  endeavoring  to  educate. 
Such  a  system  also  tends  to  short-term  service,  with  teacher  com- 
ing and  going  without  abiding  interest  in  the  school. 

4.  A  national  institution  cannot  be  made  of  a  school  that 
teaches  in  a  foreign  tongue.  Such  practice  is  unwise  in  countries 
where  the  national  spirit  is  strong  and  the  national  language 
deeply  regarded.  Stronger  nations  like  Argentina  prohibit  abso^ 
lutely  the  teaching  of  most  of  their  courses  in  anything  but  the 
national  language,  and  its  own  history  must  be  taught  by  a  native 
Argentine,  and  Spanish  by  one  for  whom  it  is  a  native  tongue.'^ 

Calderon  expresses  the  feeling  of  many  when  he  says :  "To 
tolerate  in  our  schools  as  the  principal  language  an  exotic  tongue, 
to  consider  cosmopolitanism  as  a  definite  condition  in  Argentina 
or  other  American  democracies,  is  to  forget  the  national  for  the 
foreign,  tradition  for  modern  importations,  which  is  to  accept  an 
immoral  society."  ' 

Need  of  Specially  Prepared  Educational  Missionaries. — Most 
of  the  missionary  teachers  in  Latin  America  are  entirely  without 


^  Those  particularly  interested  in  these  regulations  can  secure  a  report 
on  the  subject  by  Dr.  W.  E.  Browning,  by  addressing  the  office  of  the 
Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Latin  America. 

^  La  Creacion  de  un  Continente. 

157 


preparation  for  school  work.  A  large  part  of  tbeni  have  been 
transferred  from  evangelistic  work,  and  others  have  gone  to  the 
field  simply  to  do  their  part  in  the  conversion  of  a  needy  people. 

And  yet  there  is  no  place  on  earth  where  one  faces  more  dififi- 
cult  questions  of  curricula,  discipline  and  administration.  The 
state  educational  system  far  more  resembles  the  French  than  the 
North  American,  both  in  its  courses  and  in  its  fundamental  or- 
ganization. There  is  no  college,  in  the  North  American  sense. 
From  the  sixth  grade  on  an  average,  though  each  country  dif- 
fers, the  pupil  goes  into  the  liceo  or  colcgio  civil,  which  is  some- 
thing like  our  low  grade  academy.  Most  of  the  work  given  in 
our  colleges  is  given  in  the  first  years  of  the  professional  schools 
in  Latin  America,  which,  instead  of  having  three  to  five  years, 
generally  include  seven  years.  The  question  of  how  to  better 
bridge  the  gap  between  the  liceo  and  the  professional  school  is 
now  giving  much  concern  to  state  educators.  Another  problem 
is  the  choosing  between  two  radically  dififerent  theories  of  educa- 
tion or  making  a  happy  combination  of  the  two. 

The  missionary  may  have  been  accustomed  to  a  system  which 
was  devised  to  develop  the  freedom  of  the  individual  student, 
who  is  allowed  to  select  his  own  courses  and  choose  his  own  way 
of  mastering  the  material,  the  theory  being  that  liberty  is  so  pre- 
cious that  it  is  worth  while  to  risk  all  failure,  to  avoid. all  prece- 
dent and  restraint,  in  order  that  each  personality  may  develop 
along  its  own  lines.  But  in  countries  where  the  Jesuits  directed 
education  for  centuries  and  have  stamped  their  theories  so  thor- 
oughly on  the  thinking  of  the  people,  as  is  the  case  in  Latin 
America,  the  theory  of  discipline  and  not  liberty  prevails.  This 
puts  emphasis  on  memory  and  tradi,tion.  It  means  a  centralized 
system  of  schools  rigidly  conforming  to  narrow,  authorized  cur- 
ricula for  the  masses,  and  specialized  schools  for  the  privileged 
classes.  This  results  in  culture  and  power  of  argument,  but  a 
lamentable  lack  of  initiative  and  self-reliance. 

These  differences  of  educational  theories  account  largely  for 
other  differences  which  the  educational  missionary  must  take 
into  account. 

The  Anglo-Saxon  worships  the  "naked  truth."  For  the  Latin, 
truth  must  be  dressed  and  made  beautiful.  Simpatico,  which 
cannot  be  translated  into  English,  is  the  greatest  character-de- 
scribing word  in  Spanish.  You  are  simpatico  if  you  are  charm- 
ing in  manner,  appreciative  of  others,  graceful  and  cultured.  You 
are  not  simpatico  if  you  choose  to  blurt  out  the  naked  truth  rather 

158 


than  hide  it  behind  graceful  phrases,  even  in  response  to  cate- 
gorical questions.  Probably  the  greatest  problem  before  the  mis- 
sionary to  Latin  America  is  to  produce  a  character  which  will 
combine  the  truth-loving  Saxon  and  the  beauty-loving  Latin ; 
in  other  words,  who  will  be  like  his  A'laster,  "full  of  grace  and 
truth." 

What  kind  of  a  curriculum  is  needed  to  make  the  most  of 
national  characteristics,  and  at  the  same  time  to  develop  inde- 
pendence of  judgment,  sterling  honesty  and  reverence  for  truth, 
doing  away  with  the  idea  that  education  is  to  fit  a  man  only  for 
professional  and  governmental  careers,  and  inspiring  men  to  take 
part  in  solving  the  economic  and  social  problems  of  their  land? 

The  tremendous  industrial  changes  which  are  taking  place  in 
all  parts  of  the  world  have  a  most  ominous  sound  in  Latin  Amer- 
ica, as  the  revolution  in  Mexico,  a  protest  against  the  old  indus- 
trial and  moral  slavery,  abundantly  witnesses. 

It  is  difficult  to  conceive  of  the  missionary  educationalist  not 
taking  full  cognizance  of  the  pressing  problems  everywhere  sug- 
gested by  this  economic  revolution,  which,  if  not  in  all  the  re- 
publics so  outwardly  expressed  as  in  Mexico,  is  nevertheless  just 
as  surely  present. 

P^or  the  Evangelical  Church  itself  there  is  no  class  of  educa- 
tional problems  so  pressing  as  those  connected  with  the  training 
of  its  ministry.  How  to  dignify  ministerial  training  so  that  it 
will  be  recognized  by  the  public  as  on  the  same  plane  with  train- 
ing for  the  professions  of  the  law,  medicine,  and  diplomacy,  is  a 
problem  that  must  be  earnestly  faced.  Those  taking  part  in  the 
organization  of  the  proposed  Faculty  of  Theology  and  Social 
Sciences  at  Montevideo  will  have  an  opportunity  to  break  new 
ground  here. 

The  problem  of  dignifying  religious  instruction  is  faced,  how- 
ever, not  only  by  those  in  theological  seminaries,  but  by  every 
missionary  educationalist  in  the  religious  instruction  given  in 
each  mission  school.  Opinion  among  Latin-American  mission- 
aries varies  as  to  the  advisability  of  making  such  religious  instruc- 
tion compulsory,  but  all  agree  that  it  should  be  made  so  attract- 
ive that  students  would  regard  it  as  the  most  important  course 
in  the  curriculum. 

If  we  should  allow  ourselves  to  turn  from  the  more  general 
to  the  specific  educational  problems  in  Latin  America,  a  mere 
cataloguing  of  them  would  be  ominous.  A  few  that  are  particu- 
larly pressing  are  coeducation,  a  balancing  of  foreign  and  native 

159 


teachers,  acceptance  of  Government  subsidies,  coordination  of 
courses  with  these  of  Government  schools,  activities  of  teachers 
in  other  branches  of  missionary  work,  attention  to  be  given  to 
American  and  other  foreign  colouies,  long  and  short-term  teach- 
ers, and  the  many  vexing  questions  connected  with  the  securing 
of  finances  for  carrying  out  an  adequate  educational  program. 

In  countries  like  Paraguay,  Ecuador,  Colombia,  etc.,  where  as 
yet  governments  have  not  succeeded  to  3ny  extent  in  organ- 
izing a  public  school  system,  if  the  educational  missionary  has 
training  in  school  organization  and  administration,  he  can  render 
great  service  to  governments  usually  quite  ready  to  accept  expert 
help  from  any  source. 

With  this  brief  hint  of  the  problems  before  the  missionary 
teacher  in  Latin  America,  it  is  easy  to  understand  how  great  is 
his  need  for  the  very  best  pedagogical  preparation. 

Other  Suggestions. — Out  of  many  suggestions  received  for 
the  betterment  of  mission  schools,  this  section  will  be  closed 
by  mentioning  only  three  others. 

Local  Advisory  Boards  have  been  tried  with  success  by  several 
of  the  Mission  schools  recently.  Latin  Americans  and  foreign 
business  men  especially  interested  in  education  are  asked  to  form 
these  Boards  and  to  help  share  the  responsibilities  for  building 
up  these  schools.  This  has  a  good  efifect,  both  in  making  the 
community  feel  that  the  school  is  not  so  largely  a  foreign  afifair, 
and  in  giving  to  the  director  the  helpful  advice  and  backing  of 
representative  men  of  the  community. 

Other  educational  workers  suggested  Home  Committees  or 
Boards  of  Trustees  something  like  those  which  act  for  Nanking 
University  or  Mackenzie  College,  which  would  serve  to  give  the 
schools  on  the  field  a  special  connection  with  those  at  the  home 
base  who  were  able  to  study  with  them  in  detail  their  problems. 

More  permanency  in  the  teaching  force  is  necessary  if  our 
schools  are  to  do  permanent  work.  The  list  of  directors  of  some 
of  the  schools  in  South  America  would  be  as  formidable  as  that 
of  the  Presidents  of  A'enezuela.  No  argument  is  needed  to  show 
the  impossibility  of  a  school's  carrying  a  connected  program  of 
studies  and  a  definite  policy  which  will  get  hold  of  the  community 
in  the  right  way  if  directors  are  changed  every  year  or  two. 
Every  new  man  that  comes  in  has  different  ideas,  and  much  time 
is  taken  in  changing  courses  and  policies. 

160 


MESSAGE  AND   ^lETHOD 

Attitude  Tozvard  the  Roman  Catholic  Church. — The  question 
of  the  attitude  of  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  toward  Roman 
Catholicism  which  became  such  a  live  issue  in  the  preparations 
for  the  Panama  Congress^  hardly  came  up  during  my  whole  trip. 
In  Argentina,  the  change  of  name  of  the  conference  and  the  Cald- 
well Resolution  were  mentioned,  but  this  would  probably  not 
have  been  true  if  the  answer  to  the  protest  of  the  Argentine 
workers  had  been  circulated  as  it  was  expected  it  would  be. 
Dif^culties,  both  in  Argentina  and  in  Cuba,  which  are  the  only 
two  countries  where  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  has  not 
moved  steadily  forward,  are  due  largely  to  opposition  to  co- 
operative programs  between  the  different  Protestant  bodies  ex- 
isting before  the  Panama  Congress,  and  not  to  the  question  of 
the  Congress'  attitude  toward  Roman  Catholicism.  The  reports 
of  the  Panama  Congress  which  so  clearly  defined  this  attitude, 
the  accomplishment  of  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  in  the  last 
year,  and  the  realization  that  it  is  made  up  largely  of  the  admin- 
istrators of  the  Boards  that  are  supporting  the  missionaries  in 
Latin  America,  seemed  to  have  largely  convinced  the  few  mis- 
sionaries who  had  questioned  it  before,  that  the  movement  could 
be  nothing  but  evangelical. 

Probably  the  greater  reason  for  this  question  not  being  brought 
up,  however,  was  because  all  realize  that  there  are  so  many  grave 
problems  in  the  evangelical  cause  itself  that  must  be  faced  if  the 
Church  does  its  whole  duty  toward  Latin  America. 

The  issue  between  Roman  Catholicism  and  Protestantism  is 
clear  and  distinct.  Every  evangelical  Christian  should  be  ready 
to  state  these  vigorously  and  dispassionately  when  occasion  de- 
mands it.  There  is  no  one  who  understands  the  least  thing  about 
conditions  in  Latin  America  that  doesn't  realize  that  those  are 
the  last  countries  where  there  can  be  any  compromise  on  this 
question.  The  progressive  leaders  of  national  life  themselves 
would  be  the  first  to  condemn  any  winking  at  these  abuses  where- 
by the  established  Church  has  so  hindered  progress  through  the 
centuries.  Yet  the  more  evangelical  leaders  study  the  multiplied 
problems  before  them  to-day,  the  less  are  they  inclined  to  "ma- 
jor," as  a  university  student  would  put  it,  in  polemics.  Firm  in 
their  convictions,  fully  assured  of  the  righteousness  of  their 
cause,  ever  ready  to  defend  it  when  occasion  really  demands  it. 
they  chose  to  devote  themselves  to  working  out  a  program  that 

161 


will  turn  all  men  to  Christ  and  His  three  laws  of  Service,  Sacri- 
fice and  Love. 

Union  Evangelistic  Meetings. — There  never  was  such  hunger 
for  spiritual  things  in  Latin  America  as  there  is  to-day.  This 
means  opportunity  for  evangelistic  meetings  such  as  we  have 
never  had.  In  only  three  of  the  eleven  countries  visited  did  it 
seem  to  me  that  the  time  is  not  ripe  for  a  great  united  evangelis- 
tic campaign.  The  experience  at  Sao  Paulo  last  year,  when  all 
the  churches  together  rented  the  largest  auditorium  of  the  city, 
and  with  the  preaching  of  the  local  pastors  shook  the  whole  com- 
munity and  brought  great  blessings  to  the  churches,  shows  what 
can  be  done.  "With  all  thy  getting,  get  evangelism."  This  re- 
port has  discussed  largely  technical  questions,  but  all  understand 
that  the  passion  for  souls  must  be  in  and  around  and  above  all 
these  matters.  Union  Evangelistic  meetings  will  not  only  save 
souls,  but  they  will  revivify  the  Church.  Where  personal  and  de- 
nominational differences  have  disturbed  the  work,  union  efforts  to 
save  others  will  be  the  best  way  to  save  the  whole  cause. 

The  time  is  ripe  for  the  Committee  of  Evangelism  of  each  of 
the  Regional  Committees  to  organize  such  campaigns,  both  local 
and  nation-wide.  These  plans  might  well  include  apologetic  lec- 
tures by  visitors  from  other  countries,  as  have  been  so  often 
recommended  recently,  and  visits  from  such  evangelists  as  Mr. 
Sherwood  Eddy,  to  which  workers  are  eagerly  looking  forward. 
Probably  as  these  lines  are  written,  George  P.  Howard,  of  the 
World's  Sunday  School  Union,  is  leaving  Argentina  for  Chile, 
for  a  campaign  under  the  auspices  of  the  Committee  on  Coopera- 
tion in  Chile. 

Entering  New  Fields. — There  is  an  encouraging  unrest  among 
the  missionaries  in  regard  to  the  whole  method  that  has  been  pur- 
sued in  the  past  in  presenting  the  gospel.  The  ordinary  way  of 
entering  a  new  field  has  been  to  begin  the  meetings  in  the  house 
of  some  humble  family  or  rent  a  little  hall  on  a  side  street,  and 
attract  the  humbler  classes  by  music,  fellowship  and  help.  Many 
think  we  would  have  been  very  much  nearer  toward  winning 
Latin  America  if  we  had  entered  the  fields  appealing  to  the  in- 
dependent classes  who  could  think  for  themselves,  and  were  able 
to  contribute  something  to  building  up  the  cause.  Religious  con- 
ditions in  Latin  America  where  the  Roman  Catholic  Church  has 
had  such  a  hold,  are  different,  both  from  the  Home  Mission  work 
and  from  the  work  in  foreign  lands  among  the  heathen.  We 
have,  however,  largely  taken  either  the  method  used  on  the  home 

162 


frontiers,  or  the  method  used  in  heathen  countries,  as  the  one 
for  Latin  America.  We  have  failed  to  realize  that  a  State  Church, 
Christian  at  least  in  form,  with  a  people  accustomed  to  magnifi- 
cent edifices  and  a  stately  worship,  with  a  natural  prejudice 
against  the  matter-of-fact  Anglo-Saxon  and  the  cold,  unfamiliar 
Protestant  forms,  constitutes  a  problem  dififering  from  that  of 
any  other  field. 

With  these  things  in  mind,  as  noted  in  the  report  on  Paraguay, 
a  deputation  has  recommended  to  the  Disciples  of  Christ,  who 
are  going  into  this  new  field,  that  they  should  at  first  send  a  man 
to  quietly  study  conditions  and  form  friendships.  This  can  prob- 
ably be  best  done  by  entering  the  university  for  the  first  year. 
After  friendships  have  been  formed,  a  well-trained  educationalist 
will  be  sent  to  open  a  model  boys'  school,  which  will  be  used 
at  night  for  community  service.  Later  a  churchly  church  build- 
ing will  be  erected  that  will  appeal  to  the  Latin  religious  sense. 
If  a  number  of  missionaries  go  into  a  new  community  and  pub- 
licly announce  a  campaign  to  convert  the  people  to  a  foreign 
creed,  violating  religious  traditions  by  using  evangelistic  methods, 
in  rented  store  buildings,  it  is  not  difficult  to  understand  that 
the  stronger,  more  conservative  elements  are  set  against  the  work. 
Some  missions  have  pursued  the  policy  of  having  workers  reside 
in  a  community  for  some  time  before  beginning  open  work.  It 
has  proven  a  good  policy. 

A  chapter  could  be  written  on  the  need  of  Evangelical  Church 
buildings  that  will  draw  and  not  repel  the  Latin  American.  In 
a  book  full  of  humor  and  philosophy,  describing  a  Latin's  visit  to 
North  America,  Laboulaye  tells  of  a  visit  to  a  Congregational 
church:  "When  I  arrived,  the  service  had  not  begun.  Nothing 
in  the  world  is  sadder  than  a  Protestant  church.  Wooden  benches, 
dark  walls,  no  pictures,  no  flowers,  no  candles ;  but  some,  yes, 
much  of  sadness  which  freezes  the  feelings.  One  would  say  that 
it  was  a  service  for  the  dead.  No,  I  am  mistaken ;  there  was  one 
adornment — a  board  on  which  was  written  in  enormous  ciphers 
the  number  129.'"  If  the  poor  Latin  felt  this  way  on  visiting 
one  of  our  city  churches  in  New  York,  what  must  be  the  feeling 
of  the  ordinary  Latin  American  in  visiting  the  average  shabby 
Protestant  meeting-place  in  his  own  country. 

I  have  been  impressed  recently  with  the  value  of  certain  of 
our  missionaries  taking-  work  in  the  national  universities.    A  mis- 


'■  Paris  en  America,  E.  Laboulaye,  V.  Acha,  Barcelona. 

163 


sionary  who  is  doing  this  in  Buenos  Aires  has  found  it  of  great 
advantage,  not  only  in  improving  his  language  and  saturating 
him  with  the  national  spirit,  but  also  in  giving  him  valuable  op- 
portunities for  discussing  Christianity  with  the  educated  classes. 
The  missionary  who  has  taken  a  degree  in  the  national  university 
will  find  that  he  has  an  entrance  into  many  new  circles  because 
of  the  respect  he  has  shown  for  national  institutions. 

Importance  of  Language  Study. — One  of  the  best  things  about 
taking  this  university  course  will  be  its  aid  to  the  missionary's 
language.  Most  missionaries,  when  they  arrive  on  the  field,  find 
it  exceedingly  difficult  to  get  the  proper  kind  of  teacher.  Then 
they  are  associated  largely  with  the  lower  classes,  who  speak  the 
language  incorrectly.  Not  being  capable  of  distinguishing,  they 
form  many  bad  habits  of  speech  which  cling  to  them  all  the  rest 
of  their  life.  In  all  of  the  missionary's  preparation  there  is 
hardly  anything  as  important  as  language  study.  The  man  who 
speaks  the  language  well  will  have  an  entre  into  every  circle. 
This  is  particularly  true  in  these  lands,  for  the  sixth  sense  of 
the  Latin  American  is  language.  No  man  can  have  the  largest 
influence  that  does  not  use  with  precision  and  correctness  the 
Latin  tongue. 

Among  the  young  missionaries,  the  one  who  speaks  the  best 
Spanish  that  I  heard  on  the  trip  had  spent  a  year  in  the  Uni- 
versity of  Madrid  before  coming  to  the  field.  There  has  been  a 
recent  movement  among  the  Spanish  universities  to  attract  for- 
eign students.  At  Madrid  they  have  buih  a  large  dormitory, 
where  it  is  easy  for  a  foreign  student  to  live  with  small  expense 
or  make  his  way  by  teaching.  It  would  be  a  splendid  thing  for 
m.any  of  our  missionaries  to  go  to  the  University  of  Madrid  for 
a  year  before  taking  up  their  work  in  Latin  America. 

There  are  no  missionary  language  schools  in  Latin  America. 
Very  few  of  the  Mission  Boards  pay  any  attention  to  language 
examinations  or  the  way  their  missionaries  get  the  language. 
This  is  partly  due  to  the  large  number  of  English  schools  that 
Missions  have  organized  in  Latin  America,  and  to  the  general 
idea  that  because  this  is  America,  most  everyone  either  speaks 
English  or  wants  to  speak  it.  A  language  school  in  connection 
with  the  international  Faculty  of  Theology  and  Social  Sciences 
would  help  greatly  solve  this,  one  of  the  most  important  mission- 
ary problenis.  The  new  missionary  on  the  field  often  wastes 
months  of  precious  time  in  language  study,  and,  finally  discour- 
aged with  his   instruction,   depends   on   "picking  it  up."     Until 

164 


language  schools  or  some  definitely  organized  facilities  are  avail- 
able, it  is  of  the  utmost  importance  that  missionaries  to  Latin 
America  have  some  language  training  before  going  to  the  field. 

Prejudice  Against  Protestantism  as  a  Foreign  Religion. — A 
peculiarly  interesting  comment  on  this  matter  of  the  missionary's 
language  was  made  to  me  by  several  Latin  Americans  when  they 
pointed  out  the  fact  that  often  the  native  ministers,  after  long 
association  with  the  missionaries,  came  to  use  much  of  the  for- 
eign order  in  their  speaking.  Several  said  that  they  could  not 
enjoy  the  preaching  of  these  native  ministers  because  they  used 
so  many  foreign  forms.  This,  of  course,  contributes  to  the  feel- 
ing that  is  largely  held  that  Protestantism  is  a  foreign  religion 
and  that  those  who  embrace  it  are  in  a  way  denying  their  own 
country  and  identifying  themselves  with  North  America. 

We  must  do  everything  in  our  power  to  get  the  people  to  real- 
ize that  we  are  preaching  not  a  national  rehgion,  but  a  universal 
religion  ;  that  we  come  to  convert  them,  not  to  North  American 
ideas  or  North  American  language,  but  we  come  to  convert  them 
to  Christ,  the  universal  Savior ;  that  Christianity  needs  the 
peculiar  emphasis  of  the  Latin  American  as  well  as  the  Anglo- 
Saxon,  the  Oriental  and  all  other  nations,  to  make  up  its  perfect 
whole.  Dr.  Warnack  used  to  say  that  Americans  read  the  great 
commission,  "Go  ye  into  all  the  world  and  teach  the  English 
language  to  every  creature."  This  has  been  far  too  true  of  our 
missionary  work  in  Latin  America.  No  one  can  deny  that,  as  one 
missionary  expresses  it,  many  reforms  and  many  great  ideas  have 
ridden  into  the  country  on  the  back  of  the  English  language ; 
that  there  is  a  strong  demand  for  the  teaching  of  English  which 
our  mission  schools  can  legitimately  gratify ;  and  that  English 
literature  will  do  much  to  inculcate  moral  ideals.  But  we  will 
never  have  our  largest  influence  in  Latin  America  as  long  as  we 
remain  foreign,  preferring  a  foreign  language  and  seeking  to  in- 
culcate foreign  ideals.  The  objection  most  often  heard  about  our 
mission  schools  is  that  they  are  little  parts  of  North  America  set 
down  in  Latin  America.  They  teach  the  English  language;  they 
display  the  portraits  of  Washington  and  Lincoln  rather  than 
those  of  the  national  heroes ;  they  inculcate  the  ideals  of  a  for- 
eign nation ;  and  they  even  call  their  institutions  by  unfamiliar, 
unpronounceable   foreign  names. 

To  overcome  this  criticism  it  seems  important  that  mission- 
aries increasingly  do  two  things :  ( i )  Read  the  national  literature 
which  discusses  these  problems.    One  who  has  not  kept  in  touch 

165 


with  it  is  surprised  to  find  how  many  of  the  larger  problems  mis- 
sionaries are  facing  are  being  discussed  in  the  Latin-American 
press  and  in  books  appearing  constantly  these  days.  Great  help 
will  be  received  from  a  continued  following  of  the  national  mind 
as  it  appears  in  what  people  are  reading.  (2)  Form  friendships 
with  the  leaders  in  national  life.  These  men  are  surprisingly  easy 
of  access,  and  appreciative  of  the  opportunity  to  discuss  their 
problems  with  the  foreigner  who  shows  an  intelligent  sympathy 
with  them. 

Nationalism. — On  this  matter,  the  book  on  nationalism  by  the 
Argentine  author,  Ricardo  Rojas,  is  enlightening.''  He  defines 
nationalism  as  patriotism  which  has  as  its  territorial  and  political 
base,  the  nation.  Its  elements  are  solidarity,  the  consciousness  of 
tradition  and  of  language.  He  regards  as  "active  factors  of  na- 
tional dissolution"  Jewish  schools  where  lessons  are  given  in  He- 
brew, or  colleges  of  religious  congregations,  Protestant  establish- 
ments and  German  and  Italian  educational  institutions  which  obey 
foreign  governments.  Discouragingly  he  describes  a  growing 
"cosmopolitanism  in  men  and  ideas,  the  dissolution  of  the  old 
moral  nucleii,  indifiference  concerning  the  public  business,  and  in- 
creasing forgetfulness  of  traditions,  the  popular  corruption  of 
language,  ignorance  of  our  own  territory,  lack  of  national  soli- 
darity, anxiety  for  riches  without  scruple,  the  worship  of  the  most 
ignoble  hierarchies,  the  disdain  of  higher  accomplishments,  the 
lack  of  passion  in  struggle,  the  lowering  of  sufifrage,  supersti- 
tious regard  for  exotic  names,  and  blasting  individualism  and 
depreciation  of  ideals." 

The  school  is  for  Rojas  the  protector  of  nationalism,  "as 
the  Church  confronts  a  crisis  and  the  family  is  not  yet  a  power- 
ful factor.  A  school  completely  Argentine  will  realize  a  miracle 
of  national  transformation.  The  pedagogical  state,  an  inquisitor 
that  will  not  tolerate  foreign  doctrines  nor  hostile  patriotism  with- 
in its  territory,  will  require  of  the  immigrant  that  most  heroic 
of  tributes,  the  renouncement  of  his  old  home." 

While  the  missionary  cannot  always  agree  with  the  extreme 
expressions  of  nationalism,  he  must  always  be  sympathetic  toward 
it.  He  must  be  wilHng  to  lose  his  Anglo-Saxon  life  that  he  may 
find  a  new  life  among  the  people  to  whom  he  has  given  himself. 
Of  course,  he  will  always  retain  that  stern  Puritan  regard  for 
truth  and  righteousness.    But  he  will  lose  the  outer  forms  which 


'  La  Restauracion  Nacionalista,  G.  Mendesky  e  Hijos,  Buenos  Aires. 

166 


set  him  off  from  the  people  with  whom  he  is  laboring,  and  take 
on  the  characteristics  that  are  best  in  them. 

Unity  Olid  Diversity  in  Latin-American  Countries. — Closely  al- 
lied to  nationalism  is  the  other  question  of  the  unity  and  diversity 
of  the  various  Latin-American  countries.  It  is  one  of  the  most 
interesting  and  complex  of  all  questions,  and  can  only  be  men- 
tioned here.  We  do  well  in  our  missionary  work  to  consider 
Latin-American  problems  as  one.  As  the  Conference  of  Latin- 
American  Nations  meeting  at  Lima,  in  1847,  to  consider  their 
mutual  problems,  declared,  "These  American  Republics,  united 
by  bonds  of  origin,  language,  religion  and  customs,  by  the  com- 
mon cause  which  they  have  defended^  by  the  similarity  of  their 
institutions,  and  above  all,  by  their  common  necessities  and  recip- 
rocal interests,  cannot  but  consider  themselves  as  parts  of  the 
same  nation."  The  fact,  however,  that  they  have  not  been  able  to 
accomplish  this  union,  signifies  unquestionable  differences.  The 
more  one  studies  these  countries,  the  more  distinct  does  each 
stand  out  by  itself.  Argentina  is  cosmopolitan  and  commercial ; 
Chile  belligerent  and  ambitious ;  Brazil  patient  and  open-hearted ; 
Peru  dreams  but  fears  to  act ;  the  countries  immediately  north 
and  south  of  Panama  confide  in  lyrics  and  tropical  riches  ;  Mex- 
ico is  too  divided  for  any  word  to  describe  her ;  Cuba  and  Porto 
Rico  are  interesting  examples  of  Anglo-Saxon  influence  on  Latin 
ideals. 

There  are  two  political  schools  in  Latin  America:  one  advo- 
cates unity  among  Latin-American  nations  because  of  the  com- 
mon needs  for  protection  against  the  materialistic  and  political 
ambitions  of  the  United  States.  As  a  corrolary  to  this,  they  ad- 
vocate a  combined  unity  with  Latin  Europe  based  on  the  glories 
of  the  Latin  race.  An  active  campaign  is  carried  on  by  this 
school  on  both  sides  of  the  Atlantic.  Manuel  Ugarte,  the  most 
radical  apostle  of  this  school,  says : 

" .  .  .  It  is  evident  that  nothing  attracts  us  toward  our  neigh- 
bors of  the  North.  By  her  origin,  her  education,  and  her  spirit. 
South  America  is  essentially  European.  We  feel  ourselves  akin 
to  Spain,  to  whom  we  owe  our  civilization,  and  whose  fire  we 
carry  in  our  blood ;  to  France,  source  and  origin  of  the  thought 
that  animates  us ;  to  England,  who  sends  us  her  gold  freely ;  to 
Germany,  who  supplies  us  with  her  manufactures  ;  and  to  Italy, 
who  gives  us  the  arms  of  her  sons  to  wrest  from  the  soil  the 
wealth  which  is  to  distribute  itself  over  the  world.     But  to  the 

167 


United  States  we  are  united  by  no  ties  but  those  of  distrust  and 
fear."^ 

Calderon,  the  ambassador  of  Peru  to  France,  is  another  en- 
thusiastic member  of  this  school.  Referring  to  Pan-American 
Congresses',  he  says :  "The  Iberian  nations  confess  pubhcly  their 
enthusiasm  for  Pan-Americanism,  as  does  the  Yankee  Republic 
its  spiritual  enthusiasm.  Platonic  declarations  are  succeeded  by 
useless  promises.  The  desired  fusion  of  Saxons  and  Latins  does 
not  advance.  In  Buenos  Aires,  Americo  Lugo,  a  delegate  from 
the  Plains,  denounces  the  expansion  of  the  North.  In  dailies  and 
magazines,  eloquent  thinkers  condemn  these  rhetorical  organiza- 
tions which  preach  union  while  Saxon  ambition  dismembers  Pan- 
ama, agitates  Nicaraugua,  and  overturns  Mexico.  ...  At  the 
same  time  that  North  American  vessels  enjoy  commercial  privi- 
leges in  the  Panama  Canal,  they  limit  the  commercial  liberty  of 
the  peoples  of  the  Pacific.  Will  they  not  be  able  to  make  a  dec- 
laration in  the  future  limiting  the  amount  of  European  capital 
which  can  be  invested  in  each  republic,  or  determine  the  numeri- 
cal importance  of  the  current  of  immigration?  Thus  successful, 
they  would  impose  on  free  peoples  a  hard  tutelage.  For  moral 
suasion  they  will  substitute  an  imperative  catechism." " 

I  have  already  shown  how  such  views  concerning  North  Amer- 
ica are  being  revised  in  these  days.  As  to  the  theory  that  Latin 
America  must  maintain  close  relationships  with  Latin  Europe  on 
the  basis  of  historic  kinship  and  glories,  one  finds  many  pro- 
tests, especially  among  the  leaders  of  thought  in  countries  facing 
the  xA.tlantic.  Dr.  Ernesto  Ouesada  replied  to  my  question  a^out 
Argentina's  contribution  to  the  formulation  of  a  Latin  soul :  "We 
are  not  developing  a  Latin  soul ;  we  are  developing  an  Argentine 
soul.  It  is  all  bosh  to  talk  about  our  being  linked  up  with  the 
rest  of  the  Latin  peoples  because  of  some  ancient  history.  We 
are  fighting  our  own  fight,  with  our  faces  forward  and  not  back- 
ward." 

Dr.  Colmo,  author  of  the  best  Sociology'  yet  published  on  Latin 
America,  expresses  the  same  views :  "Instead  of  Latin-American 
countries  getting  closer  together,  as  we  develop  we  are  getting 
further  apart.  What  particular  interest  has  life  in  Ecuador  or 
Colombia  to  me?     I  wanted  to  get  a  book  that  was  published  in 


^  El  Porvenir  de  la  America  Latina,  pp.  93.  94. 

^La  Creacion  de  un  Continente.  pp.  29.  31. 

*Los  Paises  Americanos,  Alfredo  Colmo,  Hijos  de  Reus,  Madrid. 

168 


Bolivia  not  long  ago.  Not  a  book-store  in  Buenos  Aires  could 
give  me  the  address  of  a  book  dealer  in  Bolivia.  I  had  to  write 
to  Spain  to  get  it.  In  this  practical  age  when  each  nation  is 
developing  its  mental  and  material  resources,  the  national  spirit 
is  growing,  and  we  need  less  and  less  to  unite  for  protection 
against  outside  encroachment." 

Missionaries  will  be  constantly  sensing  the  play  of  such  ideas 
as  having  an  important  bearing  on  the  method  of  presenting  their 
message. 

Open-mindedness. — Independence  of  thought,  which  the  Cath- 
olic Church  has  opposed,  is  largely  responsible  for  that  Church's 
losing  its  influence  in  Latin  America.  The  evangelical  churches 
will  just  as  quickly  find  their  influence  gone  if  they  cease  to  stand 
for  such  independence.  It  was  not  encouraging  to  be  told  of  a 
number  of  missionaries  who  had  come  to  the  field  during  the  last 
five  years  and  were  now  back  home  because  of  their  independent 
judgments. 

We  have  no  message  for  Latin  America  if  it  is  not  an  exalta- 
tion of  the  truth  and  an  insistence  upon  progress  in  spiritual 
things.  It  is  natural  to  expect  that  conservatism  and  liberalism 
will  be  found  in  our  missionary  forces  in  Latin  America  as  God 
has  ordained  that  they  shall  be  found  balancing  one  another  in 
all  parts  of  the  world.  We  only  need  to  keep  an  open  mind  as 
our  Master  did  to  realize  that  truth  will  set  us  free  for  service 
wherever  needed. 

There  is  a  great  need  for  free  play  of  ideas  in  restless,  grow- 
ing nations  like  we  find  in  Latin  America.  We  should  be  anxious 
to  always  be  worthy  of  the  following  from  a  distinguished  Ar- 
gentine : 

"...  Thus  liberal  Protestantism,  leaving  to  man  his  best  aptitude 
and  amplitude  for  lay  progress,  has  formed  the  colonizing  races  \vhich, 
by  their  greater  resources  dominating  nature  and  exploiting  the  soil,  have 
enriched  and  extended  themselves  to  all  continents.  In  the  same  way 
Catholicism,  repudiating  profane  science,  and  captured  by  attention  to 
public  worship,  has  separated  the  best  energies  of  man,  has  withdrawn 
him  from  improvd  means  of  agriculture,  commerce  and  industry,  froin 
personal  cleanliness  and  public  sanitation,  from  earthly  justice  and  civil 
morality." 

"The  Metropolis  did  us  greater  harm  by  prohibiting  in  America  the 
cultivation  of  ideas  and  the  sentiments  of  tolerance  than  it  did  us  by 
prohibiting  the  cultivation  of  the  vine  and  the  olive.  If  the  primary  cause 
of  the  progress  of  man  is  the  thought  of  man  which  modifies  his  senti- 
ments and  forms  his  character,  a  man  limits  his  progress  in  the  degree 
to  which  he  limits  his  thought.  So  the  fundamental  cause  of  the  back- 
wardness of  Spanish  America,  and  of  Spain  itself  was,  and  is  yet,  the 
restrictions  of  thought  by  an  absurd  religion. 

169 


"The  spirit  cultivated  by  one  idea  only,  like  the  field  sown  with  only 
one  seed,  cannot  produce  more  than  one  kind  of  fruit,  one  kind  of  ideas 
and  sentiments,  the  same  that  have  been  sown.  The  Disciple  of  the 
Jesuit,  with  one  side  of  his  spirit  filled  with  narrow  ideas,  and  the  other 
ernpty;  with  lights  aglow  and  lights  prohibited,  is  like  a  nun,  the  nun 
with  a  lean  spirit,  half  in  darkness  and  half  in  superstition— as  Renan 
defines  her.  'Very  religious,  and  at  the  same  time  very  little  instructed, 
consequently  very  superstitious.'  A  mule  with  an  unbalanced  load,  which 
leans  constantly  to  the  side  of  the  greater  weight,  finally  leaves  the  road, 
and  strikes  across  the  country.  Thus  the  political  or  religious  sectarian, 
unbalanced  by  his  one-sided  provision  of  ideas,  abandoning  the  right 
road,  traversing  foreign  territory,  is  comparable  to  intellectual  mules  un- 
evenly loaded  with  good  and  bad  ideas.  Thus  narrow  and  superstitious 
Catholicism,  the  open  enemy  of  profane  science,  and  the  advocate  of  lay 
ignorance,  develops  a  spirit  incapable  of  self-government,  because  it  is 
educated  in  dogmatic  intolerance  and  spiritual  slavery,  which  are  the 
spiritual  father  and  mother  of  this  Spanish  perverseness  which  we  knew 
in  1810  and  the  Cubans  knew  in  1900.  In  the  same  way  liberal  Protestant- 
ism develops  those  spirits  with  self-rule,  tolerant  in  action  because  they 
are  educated  to  be  tolerant  in  thought."  ^ 

Inchisiveness  of  the  Christian  Message. — The  present  world 
war  points  out  the  danger  of  the  theory  that  we  can  do  our  re- 
hgious  work  in  certain  circles  and  ignore  the  rest.  As  mission- 
aries we  have  often  felt  that  we  had  no  call  to  relate  ourselves 
to,  or  study  the  life  and  tendencies  of,  the  intellectual  classes, 
most  of  them  hostile  to  religion  and  seemingly  impossible  of  con- 
version. 

In  Latin  America,  missionaries  and  diplomats  from  the  same 
countries  have  seldom  had  any  close  relations,  and  too  often  mu- 
tually regard  one  another  as  difificulties  in  the  way  of  promoting 
international  friendship.  What  is  having  a  more  vital  influence 
in  shaping  character  than  the  present  economic  and  commercial 
movements  ?  Often  the  very  men  who  are  planting  these  new 
commercial  enterprises  are  the  ones  from  whom  we  expect  the 
financial  support  which  will  sustain  our  mission  work.  Yet  there 
is  too  often  a  feeling  that  the  two  activities  are  entirely  without 
relationship.  We  must  recognize  that  great  economic  and  politi- 
cal movements  often  remove  difficulties  and  open  doors  that  the 
missionary  propaganda  had  worked  in  vain  for  many  years  to 
accomplish. 

Does  not  God  use  the  foreign  Christian  business  man  who 
raises  moral  ideals  in  business,  the  foreign  professor  who  in  the 
agricultural  experiment  station  directs  the  development  of  a  more 


^  Adonde   Vamos?     Agustin  Alvarez,  "La  Cultura  Argentina."  Buenos 
Aires. 

170 


wholesome  country  life,  the  faithful  government  agent  who  seeks 
to  cement  more  closely  the  ties  of  international  brotherhood,  the 
same  as  He  uses  the  foreign  missionary? 

Furthermore,  is  there  not  a  kinship  between  the  Bible-reading 
Christian  and  the  man  who  reads  Victor  Hugo  as  a  spiritual  ex- 
ercise every  night  before  retiring,  the  man  who  works  early  and 
late  to  better  the  schools  of  his  community,  the  devout  Romanist 
who  leads  in  the  work  of  an  orphan  asylum,  and  even  the  Social- 
ist agitator  and  the  university  professor  who  bitterly  attack  all 
Christianity  because  they  have  only  known  the  kind  that  is  op- 
posed to  progress  and  freedom?  Our  contacts  have  been  infini- 
tesimally  slight  with  such  men  as  the  Buenos  Aires  professor 
who  interests  himself  in  a  Congress  of  Religions,  or  with  the 
Director  of  Public  Instruction  in  Uruguay,  who  in  a  notable  book 
says : 

"Another  of  the  factors  which  in  the  most  fundamental  way  can  co- 
operate to  secure  to  the  American  citizens  an  elevated  culture  as  beauti- 
ful as  it  is  sane,  which  would  give  a  high  and  invariably  moral  ideal, 
making  possible  the  solidarity  which  is  pursued  as  a  high  purpose  of  its 
collective  existence,  is  the  adoption  of  a  religious  creed  so  pure  that  it 
can  protect  in  its  sanctuary  all  the  most  noble  aspirations ;  so  ample  that 
in  it  are  found  all  creeds ;  so  tolerant  that  in  it  all  the  faithful  mix  their 
prayers — an  indispensable  complement  of  popular  education,  a  factor  of 
resistance  and  energy  that  will  bring  to  a  realization  the  elevated  objects 
of  the  yotfng  countries  of  America. 

"I  know  that  my  ideas  will  collide  with  the  radicalism  of  some  and 
the  skepticism  of  others.  But  I  understand  that  one  of  the  greatest  bene- 
fits of  liberty  of  thought  is  to  express  one's  ideas  when  he  has  the  con- 
viction that  in  them  is  enclosed  a  truth,  although  such  truth  may  oppose 
the  beliefs,  the  prejudices  or  the  superstitions  of  others.  ...  I  desire 
to  reserve  for  the  child  in  the  school  this  shield  (religion).  I  wish  to 
leave  him  this  treasure  of  resistance  which  shall  maintain  his  faith,  tone 
up  his  enthusiasm,  give  him  absolute  possession  of  himself,  assure  to  the 
future  warrior  the  harmonious  integrity  of  his  activities  which  the  col- 
lective life  of  America  imperatively  demands. 

"Thus  death  will  not  mean  the  sterile  and  final  end,  but  the  echoes  of 
a  life  consecrated  to  right,  truth,  beauty  and  love,  forming  the  glorious 
harmonies  of  a  psalm  which  even  in  these  sad  moments  may  be  simul- 
taneously the  psalm  of  an  intense  life  which  beautifies  the  psalm  of 
eternity."  ^ 

The  Evangelical  movement  in  Latin  America  has  so  far  felt 
few  of  the  powerful  lessons  which  the  world  war  is  teaching  the 
churches  nearest  it.  But  we  must  pray  that  in  some  way  God 
will  give  them  to  her.     The  impassioned  appeal  of  Harry  Emer- 


^  America,  pp.  120,  127,  138,  Abel  J.  Perez,  "El  Siglo  Ilustrado,"  Mon- 
tevideo. ' 

171 


son  Fosdick  to  North  American  churches  is  Hkewise  applicable 
to  them  in  Latin  America : 

"We  are  challenged  by  this  war  to  a  renovation  of  our  popular  Chris- 
tianity, to  a  deep  and  unrelenting  detestation  of  the  little  bigotries,  the 
needless  divisions,  the  petty  obscurantisms  that  so  deeply  curse  our 
churches,  to  a  new  experience  and  a  more  intelligent  expression  of  vital 
fellowship  with  God.  Unless  we  can  answer  that  challenge,  there  is  small 
use  of  our  trying  to  answer  any  other. 

"The  saddest  aspect  of  Christian  history  is  the  misrepresentation  of 
Christ  and  the  spoiling  of  His  influence,  not  by  irreHgious  men  but  by 
the  official  exponents  of  religion.  The  belittling  of  religion  by  its  devo- 
tees is  the  most  tragic  narrative  of  Christendom.  The  unhappy  story 
began  with  the  Master's  earthly  ministry.  As  He  emerged  among  a 
people  where  the  minute  disputes  of  rabbis  were  so  large  a  part  of  piety, 
how  great  in  contrast  was  religion  as  it  appeared  to  Him !  It  meant  to 
Him  an  inward  fellowship  with  God  so  close  that  to  tell  where  He  left 
off  and  God  began  is  like  discerning  the  air's  fragrance  from  the  sunlight 
on  a  radiant  day.  It  meant  to  Him  a  thought  of  God  that  sent  Him  out 
to  the  help  of  men  with  a  love  no  sin  could  turn  aside  and  no  ingratitude 
could  quench,  and  with  a  hope  that  shone  for  Him  on  desperate  days 
like  a  beacon  from  belov/  the  line  of  the  horizon,  advertising  from  afar 
that  the  haven  was  at  hand. 

"A  thoughtful  Christian  cannot  fail  to  see  that  when  our  Lord  comes 
now  to  us,  in  the  crisis  of  this  terrific  war,  He  finds  us  too,  with  our 
petty  emphasis  on  the  technicalities  of  sectarian  religion,  poorly  prepared 
to  understand  the  spiritual  greatness  of  His  message,  unready  to  interpret 
it  to  a  world  whose  footsteps,  lacking  it,  have  manifestly  taken  hold 
on  ruin. 

"To-day  the  Christian  begins  to  see  how  much  greater  a  thing  re- 
ligion is  than  he  used  to  think,  how  deep  its  fountains  lie  in  human  souls, 
how  unescapable  is  the  spirit's  thirst,  like  the  homing  instinct  of  the  bird, 
for  the  God  from  whom  it  comes. 

"The  application  of  this  truth  to  the  churches'  missionary  program  is 
manifest.  The  cause  of  missions  has  too  often  been  presented  in  its  sig- 
nificance for  individuals  alone  ;  it  has  been  pictured  only  as  the  snatching 
of  souls  one  by  one  from  ruin.  But  this  crisis  in  the  world's  life  chal- 
lenges us  to  balance  our  view  of  missions  with  a  more  social  concept  of 
their  meaning.  The  missionary  enterprise  is  the  Christian  canipaign  for 
internatianal  good-will." 

.THE  NEXT  STEP 
Present  world  conditions  have  opened  Latin  America  to  the 
.gospel  as  never  before.  To-day  we  have  an  opportunity  to  atone 
for  the  awful  neglect  of  the  past.  A  program  of  sacrificial  serv- 
ice and  spiritual  emphasis,  a  well-prepared  national  leadership, 
a  better  coordination  of  the  missionary  agencies  at  home  and  on 
the  field,  a  closer  union  of  all  evangelical  forces,  and  a  larger 
sympathy  with  national  ideals  of  Latin  Americans,  are  the  things 
that  my  journey  have  indicated  as  necessary  for  taking  advantage 
of  the  present  unprecedented  opportunity. 

172 


For  bringing^  these  things  about,  the  Committee  on  Cooperation 
in  Latin  America,  representing  the  combined  council  of  the  forces 
involved,  bears  a  grave  responsibility.  The  one  practical  step 
which  would  more  largely  contribute  to  the  realization  of  every 
other  need,  would  be  the  prompt  provision  of  a  worthy  support 
for  the  union  educational  and  literary  enterprises  recently  begun 
or  projected.  This  would  require  at  the  lowest  estimate  two  and 
a  half  or  three  million  dollars.  This  is  certainly  not  a  large 
amount  to  request,  in  view  of  past  neglect,  and  all  that  to-day  we 
are  realizing  is  involved  in  making  Latin  America  safe  for 
democracy  and  for  Christianity. 

The  only  question  involved  is  the  one  of  Faith. 


173 


APPENDIX    I 

ITINERARY  OF  MR.  INMAN'S  TRIP 

March  12,  leave  New  York  by  rail  for  Mexico. 

March  16  to  24,  Northern  Mexico. 

March  26  to  April  2,  Mexico  City. 

April     5,  leave  Vera  Cruz  via  Ward  Line  for  Havana. 

April  11,  leave  Havana  via  United  Fruit  Co.  for  Colon. 

April   15  to  30,  in  Panama  and  the  Canal  Zone. 

May     4,  arrive  Guayaquil. 

May     9,  arrive  Callao. 

May  10  to  24,  in  Lima,  Mollendo,  Arequipa,  Cuzco. 

May  25,  leave   Cuzco  for  Puno;  across  Titicaca. 

May  26,  arrive  Guaqui  and  LaPaz. 

Ma.y  31,  arrive  Antofagasta,  Chile. 

June     1  to  25,  in  Santiago,  Valparaiso,  Taltal,  Concepcion,  Temuco. 

June  26,  crossing  the  Andes;  arrive  Mendoza,  Argentina. 

June  27  to  July  30,  in  Argentina,  visiting  Mendoza,  Cordova,  Tucu- 
man,  Rosario,  Buenos  Aires,  Tandil.  Bahia  Blanca,  Santa 
Fe,  Parana.     Also  in  Montevideo  during  this  month. 

July  30,  leave  Parana  via  river  steamer  for  Asuncion. 

August     2,  arrive  Asuncion. 

August     2  to  8,  visiting  Asuncion,   Encarnacion  and  Posadas. 

August    9  to  16,  trip  to  Iguazu  Falls. 

August  18,  leave  Posadas  for  Southern  Brazil  by  rail,  visiting  Uru- 
guayana,  Santa  Maria,  Porto  Alegre,  Sao  Paulo,  Campinas, 
Jaguary,  Rio  Clara,  Piracicaba,  Juiz  de  Fora,  Lavras. 

September     6,  arrive  Rio  de  Janeiro. 

September  15,  leave  Rio  de  Janeiro  via  steamer  for  North  Coast. 

Sept  18  to  28,  visiting  Bahia  and   Pernambuco. 

October     3  to  7,  in  Para,  sailing  for  New  York  via  Lloyd  Brasiliero. 

October  20,  arrive  New  York. 


174 


APPENDIX    II 

CONSTITUTIONS  OR  AGREEMENTS  UNDER  WHICH 

THE    REGIONAL    COMMITTEES    ON 

COOPERATION  WORK 

ARGENTINA,   URUGUAY   AND   PARAGUAY 

The  organization   shall  be  called,  "The   Central  Evangelical   Board 
of  the  Rio  de  la  Plata." 
Its  objects  shall  be: 

1.  To  unite  all  the  evangelical  forces  of  the  Rio  de  la  Plata  in 
order  to  secure  comity  and  efficiency  in  the  missionary  operation  of 
the  territory  involved. 

2.  To  serve  as  a  means  of  communication,  (1)  between  the  evan- 
gelical forces  of  the  Rio  de  la  Plata,  and  (2)  similar  groups  in  other 
regions,   (3)   INIissionary  Societies  of  other  countries. 

3.  To  make  a  scientific  survey  of  the  field  and  to  carry  out  the 
results  of  the  same. 

4.  To  serve  as  intermediary  or  committee  of  consolidation  between 
the  various  evangelical  bodies  when  the  interested  parties  desire  its 
intervention. 

5.  To  attend  to  any  other  subject  which  may  be  referred  to  it. 

MEMBERS 

1.  The  members  of  the  Board  shall  be  named  by  the  different 
organizations  on  the  basis  of  two  representatives  for  each  evangelical 
group  or  missionary  society,  and  one  representative  for  each  national 
evangelical  organization  not  included  in  these  two  groups. 

2.  After  the  definite  formation  of  the  Board,  it  is  authorized  to 
admit  to  its  number  the  representatives  of  any  other  evangelical  group 
which  in  its  judgment  should  have  participation  in  the  Board. 

3.  The  President,  Vice-President,  Secretary  and  Treasurer  will  be 
elected  by  the  Board.  These  four,  with  three  other  persons  desig- 
nated by  the  Board,  will  form  the  Executive  Committee.  These  will 
continue  in  their  positions  for  one  year,  or  until  their  successors  are 
elected. 

4.  The  Board  will  meet  annually,  or  at  the  call  of  the  Executive 
Committee. 

5.  The  powers  of  the  Board  are  advisory  and  consultative,  not 
legislative  nor  mandatory.  • 

BRAZIL 

1.  The  name  of  the  Committee  shall  be,  "The  Brazilian  Committee 
on  Cooperation  in  Latin  America." 

2.  The  objects  of  the  Committee  shall  be: 

(a)  To  cooperate  with  both  the  American  and  European  Sections 
of  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Latin  America  in  carrying  into 

175 


effect  the  findings  of  the  Panama  Congress  on  Christian  Work  in 
Latin  America,  and  whatever  further  plans  said  Sections  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  Cooperation  may  propose  for  the  extension  and  efficiency  of 
Christian  work  in  Brazil. 

(b)  To  promote  in  every  way  possible  cooperation  in  policy  and 
practice  between  the  Christian  organizations  and  forces  at  work  in  the 
Republic;  and  whenever  desired  by  them,  to  act  as  a  Board  of  Refer- 
ence and  Counsel  for  the  parties  concerned. 

(c)  To  cooperate  with  similar  regional  committees  throughout 
Latin  America  in  considering  plans  that  may  be  proposed  from  time 
to  time  for  the  building  up  and  extension  of  Christ's  Kingdom  in 
these  countries. 

(d)  To  make  a  constant  study  and  survey  of  the  needs  in  Brazil, 
and  furnish  to  the  central  Committee  on  Cooperation  results  of  their 
investigations  to  be  communicated  to  the  Churches  and  Boards  con- 
cerned. 

(e)  To  make  arrangements  for  Christian  Congresses  at  such  times 
and  places  as  may  be   deemed  necessary  and  advisable. 

3.  The  powers  of  the  Committee  shall  be  advisory  and  consulta- 
tive, not  legislative  or  mandatory. 

4.  The  membership  of  the  Committee  shall  consist  of  one  repre- 
sentative from  each  Board  of  Missions,  and  two  from  each  evangeli- 
cal denomination  recognized  as  being  at  work  in  Brazil  by  the  Ameri- 
can and  European  Sections  of  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Latin 
America. 

This  Committee  may  co-opt  members  to  represent  special  phases  of 
evangelical  work  not  represented  by  the  regularly  constituted  mem- 
bers; their  number  shall  not  exceed  fifty  per  cent,  of  those  already 
appointed. 

5.  Each  denomination,  Board  or  Committee  may  determine  for 
itself  the  manner  of  choosing  its   representatives. 

The  term  of  appointment  shall  not  be  for  a  longer  period  than  three 
years.     All  members  may  be  eligible  for  reappointment. 

6.  The  executive  officers  shall  be  a  President,  Vice-President,  Re- 
cording Secretary,  Corresponding  Secretary,  and  Treasurer.  These 
shall  constitute  an  Executive  Committee  to  call  meetings  of  the  full 
Committee,  and  attend  to  matters  of  urgency,  and  furnish  each  mem- 
ber beforehand  an  agenda  of  the  business  to  be  transacted  at  any 
meeting. 

CHILE 

I.  The  name  of  the  Committee  shall  be,  "The  Advisory  Committee 
on  Cooperation  in  Chile." 

IL     The   objects  of  the   Committee   shall  be: 

(1)  To  help  carry  into  effect  the  findings  of  the  Panama  Congress 
on  Christian  Work  and  of  the  Santiago  Regional  Conference. 

(2)  To  promote  cooperation  in  policy  and  activity  between  the 
Christian  organizations  in  Chile. 

(3)  To  act  as  a  Board  of  Reference  and  of  Arbitration  when  in- 
vited to  act  by  the  parties  immediately  concerned.  .  . 

(4)  To  cooperate  with  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Latin 
America  at  the  home  base,  and  also  to  collaborate  with  similar  Com- 
mittees on  Cooperation  throughout  Latin  America. 

176 


(5)  To  supply  information  concerning  Chile  to  any  Christian  or- 
ganization soliciting  data. 

(6)  To  make  the  necessary  arrangements  for  Christian  congresses. 

III.  The  powers  of  the  Committee  shall  be  advisory  and  consulta- 
tive,  not   legislative   or   mandatory. 

The  Committee  may  ofifer  suggestions  and  make  recommendations 
to  Home  Boards  or  to  the  Missions  on  the  tield,  directly  through  its 
executive  officers,  as  well  as  through  their  representatives  on  the 
Committee. 

The  Committee  may  appoint  sub-committees,  composed  not  onh'  of 
its  own  members,  but  also  of  other  competent  persons,  for  carrying 
out   any  of  its   objects. 

IV.  The  membership  of  the   Committee   shall  consist  of: 

(1)  One  representative  of  each  Evangelical  Christian  organization 
operating  in  Chile,  appointed  to  the  Committee  by  the  organization, 
for  a  period  not  exceeding  three  years,  but  eligible  for  re-election. 

(2)  Additional  co-opted  members,  representative  of  important 
phases  of  the  work  or  missionary  interests  not  otherwise  represented, 
and  not  exceeding  in  numbers  more  than  fifty  per  cent,  of  the  directl}' 
appointed  representatives. 

V.  The  officers  of  the  Committee  shall  be  a  President,  Vice-Presi- 
dent, a  Secretary,  and  a  Treasurer,  who  shall  be  elected  by  the  Com- 
mittee. The  Executive  Committee  shall  be  composed  of  the  President 
and  Secretary  of  the  Permanent  Committee,  and  of  the  Chairmen 
of  the   sub-committees. 

VI.  The  Executive  Committee  shall  meet  once  every  three  months. 

VII.  The  sessions  of  the  Committee  shall  be  held  at  least  once  a 
3'ear,  and  oftener,  if  necessary,  at  the  call  of  the  President. 

An  agenda  shall  be  sent  to  the  members  before  the  meeting,  con- 
taining notice  of  all  important  business  to  be  dealt  with,  known  to 
the  executive  officers,  so  as  to  permit  members  to  confer  with  their 
field  committees  if  necessary  and  they  so  desire. 

VIII.  Amendments  to  this  constitution  shall  require  for  their 
adoption  a  two-thirds  vote  of  the  members  present  at  any  meeting 
of  the  Advisory  Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Chile.  Notice  of  such 
amendment  shall  be  sent  to  each  member  of  the  Committee  not  less 
than  two  months  preceding  the  meeting  at  which  action  is  con- 
templated. 

CUBA 

Extract  from  the   Findings   of  the   Regional   Conference  in   Havana. 

WHEREAS,  The  Congress  on  Christian  Work  in  Latin  America  re- 
cently convened  in  Panama,  without  dissenting  vote,  continued  the 
existence  of  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Latin  America,  en- 
larged its  membership  to  include  one  from  each  body  sending  and 
maintaining  workers  in  Latin  America,  adopted  and  already  has  pro- 
vided an  ample  budget  for  the  support  of  the  work  of  the  Committee 
for  its  first  year,  elected  an  executive  officer  to  carry  forward  its 
work,  and  invited  each  country  or  group  of  countries  to  join  in  the 
further  study  of  the  Christian  work  needed  to  be  done  in  Latin  Amer- 
ica by  the  appointment  within  their  respective  territories  of  advisory 
or    consulting    committees    of    Latin-American    and    foreign    workers: 

177 


RESOLVED,  That  this  Regional  Conference,  in  Cuba  convened,  in 
connection  with  the  Congress  on  Christian  Work  in  Latin  America 
should  take  action  to  secure  for  the  Christian  work  and  workers  in 
Cuba  such  touch  v/ith  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  as  may  be  de-. 
sired  by  the  workers  in  Cuba;  and, 

RESOLVED,  That  in  order  to  establish  and  maintain  this  volun- 
tary and  helpful  relationship,  it  approves  the  organization  of  a  Com- 
mittee of  Conference  in  Cuba,  representing  unofficially  the  Christian 
work  and  workers  in  Cuba,  this  Committee  to  have  consultative  pow- 
ers only,  except  as  any  plans  discussed  by  the  Committe  shall  have 
been  approved  by  the  Mission  Boards  sending  and  maintaining  work- 
ers in  Cuba,  and  except  as  these  Boards  request  the  Committee  of 
Conference  in  Cuba  to  assist  them  in  any  specific  work  in  their  behalf. 

PERU 

_  L  The  name  of  the  Committee  shall  be,  "The  Committee  on  Mis- 
sionary Cooperation  in  Peru." 

n.     The  objects  of  the  Committee  shall  be: 

(1)  To  help  carry  into  efifect  the  findings  of  the  Panama  Con- 
gress on  Christian  Work,  and  of  the  Lima  Regional  Congress. 

(2)  To  promote  cooperation  in  policy  and  activity  between  the 
Christian  organizations  in  the   Republic. 

(3)  To  act  as  a  Board  of  Reference  and  Arbitration  when  invited 
so  to  act  by  the  parties  immediately  concerned. 

(4)  To  cooperate  with  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Latin 
America  at  the  home  base,  and  also  to  collaborate  with  the  similar 
Committees  on  Cooperation  throughout  Latin  America. 

(5)  To  make  a  complete  missionary  survey  of  Peru. 

(6)  To  supply  information  concerning  Peru  to  any  Christian  or- 
ganization soliciting  data. 

7.     To  make  the  necessary  arrangements  for  Christian  Congresses. 

IIL  The  powers  of  the  Committee  shall  be  advisory  and  con- 
sultative, not  legislative  or  mandatory. 

The  Committee  may  offer  suggestions  and  make  recommendations 
to  Home  Boards  directly  through  its  executive  officers,  as  well  as 
through  their  representatives  on  the  Committee. 

The  Committee  may  ofifer  suggestions  and  make  recommendations, 
to  either  field  or  home  officers  of  missionary  organizations,  in  the 
interests  of  cooperation  and  comity,  without  awaiting  the  invitation 
to  do  so. 

The  Committee  may  appoint  sub-committees,  composed  not  only  of 
its  own  members,  but  also  of  other  competent  persons,  for  carrying 
out  any  of  its  objects. 

IV.  The  membership  of  the  Committee  shall  consist  of: 

(1)  One  representative  of  each  Evangelical  Christian  organization 
operating  in  Peru,  appointed  to  the  Committee  by  the  organization, 
for  a  period  not  exceeding  three  years,  but  eligible  for  re-election. 

(2)  Additional  co-opted  members,  representative^  of  important 
phases  of  the  work  or  missionary  interests  not  otherwise  represented, 
and  not  exceeding  in  number  more  than  fifty  per  cent,  of  the  directly 
appointed  representatives. 

V.  The  executive  officers  of  the   Committee   shall  be  a   President, 

178 


a  \'ice-President,  and  a  Secretary-Treasurer,  who  shall  be  appointed 
by  the  Committee. 

VI.  Sessions  of  the  Committee  shall  be  held  at  least  annually,  and 
an  agenda  shall  be  sent  to  the  members  before  the  meetings,  con- 
taining notice  of  all  important  business  to  be  dealt  with  known  to 
the  executive  officers,  so  as  to  permit  members  to  confer  with  their 
field  committees  if  they  should  so  desire. 

VII.  Amendments  to  this  constitution  shall  require  a  two-thirds 
majority  vote  of  the  members  present  at  any  meeting  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  IMissionary  Cooperation  in  Peru.  Notice  of  proposed 
amendments  shall  be  sent  to  each  member  of  the  Committee  not  less 
than  four  months  preceding  the  meeting  at  which  action  is  con- 
templated. 

PORTO  RICO 

I.  Name.  The  name  of  this  organization  shall  be,  "The  Evangeli- 
cal Union  of  Puerto  Rico." 

II.  Object.  The  object  of  the  Evangelical  Union  of  Puerto  Rico 
shall  be  to  promote  cooperation  among  the  various  evangelical  de- 
nominations represented  in  Puerto  Rico  in  every  form  of  Christian 
activity,  and  wherever  desirable  and  possible,  to  promote  organic 
union. 

III.  Membership.  The  Union  shall  be  composed  of  the  evangelical 
denominations  embraced  in  the  Federation  of  the  Evangelical 
Churches  in  Puerto  Rico  and  such  other  bodies  as  adhere  to  the 
Scriptures  as  the  Word  of  God,  to  the  scriptural  doctrine  of  the 
Trinity,  manifest  the  spirit  of  Christ,  and  seek  to  apply  His  principles 
to  their  lives  and  to  society,  so  far  as  these  bodies  may  desire  to 
enter  the  membership  of  the  Union,  and  the  Central  Conference  Com- 
mittee, by  a  two-thirds  vote,  receives  them. 

IV.  Officers  and  Committees.  (1)  The  administration  of  the  Union 
shall  be  in  charge  of  a  Central  Conference  Committee,  representing 
the  various  denominations  of  the  Union. 

(2)  The  Central  Conference  Committee  shall  consist  of  one  mem- 
ber for  each  constituent  denomination  and  one  additional  member  for 
each  700  members  in  full  communion  or  major  fraction  thereof,  who 
shall  be  appointed  by  their  respective  denominations. 

(3)  The  Central  Conference  Committee  shall  elect  the  following 
oiScers:  President,  Vice-President;  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  who 
shall  perform  the  duties  corresponding  to  their  positions,  and  who 
shall  be  considered  the  officers  of  the  Union. 

4.  The  Central  Conference  Committee  shall  appoint  sub-committees 
composed  in  part  of  its  members  and  of  such  other  persons  as  the 
Central  Conference  Committee  may  appoint.  Among  these  sub-com- 
mittees there  shall  be  the  following:  Committee  on  Christian  Educa- 
tion, Committee  on  Christian  Literature,  Committee  on  Evangelism, 
and  Committee  on  Social  Reform.  These  committees  shall  present 
written  reports  annually,  reviewing  the  work  of  the  past  year  and 
presenting  recommendations  for  the  new  year. 

V.  Meetings.  The  Central  Conference  Committee  shall  meet  the 
first  week  of  December  of  each  year,  at  such  time  and  place  as  it  shall 

179 


determine,  or  on  call  of  the  Secretary  on  advice  and  consent  of  the 
President  and  two  other  members. 

VI.  Dues.  The  administration  expenses  of  the  Union  shall  be  met 
by  an  annual  assessment  of  two  dollars  for  each  unit  of  representa- 
tion in  the  Central  Conference  Committee. 

VII.  This  constitution  may  be  amended  at  any  annual  meeting  of 
the  Central  Conference  Committee  by  a  two-thirds  vote  of  the  con- 
stituent members. 


180 


APPENDIX    III 

MEMBERSHIP  OF  THE  COMMITTEE  ON  COOPERA- 
TION IN  LATIN  AMERICA 

Robert  E.  Speer,  D.D.,  Chairman,  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  the  U.  S.  A.,  156  Fifth  Avenue,   New  York  City. 

Rt.  Rev.  William  Cabell  Brown,  D.D.,  J'icc-Chainnan,  916  Park  Ave- 
nue, Richmond,  Va. 

Bishop  Luther  B.  Wilson,  D.D.,  Vice-Chairman,  Board  of  Foreign  Mis- 
sions of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  150  Fifth  Avenue,  New 
York  City. 

Samuel  G.  Inman,  Execciitive  Sccrctarv,  25  Madison  Avenue,  New  York 
City. 

Re\.  Webster  E.  Browning,  D.D.,  Ph.D.,  Educational  Secretary,  Calle 
Chana,  2126,  Montevideo,  Uruguay. 

Rev.  G.  B.  Winton,  D.D.,  Editorial  Secretary,  2211  Highland  Avenue, 
Nashville,  Tenn. 

James  H.  Post,  Treasurer,  25  Madison  Avenue,  New  York  City. 

E.  E.  Olcott,  Chairman  Finance  Committee,  Desbrosses  Street  Pier,  New 
York  City. 

E.  T.  CoLTON,  Chairman  Committee  on  Survey  and  Occupation,  Interna- 
tional Committee  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  124  East  28th  Street,  New 
York  City. 

Henry  Churchill  King,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  Chairman  Committee  on  Education, 
Oberlin  College,  Oberlin,  Ohio. 

Rev.  L.  C.  Barnes,  D.D.,  Chairman  Committee  on  Literature,  23  East 
28th  Street,  New  York  City. 

S.  Earl  Taylor,  LL.D.,  Chairman  Committee  on  Home  Base,  150  Fifth 
Avenue,  New  York  City. 

Marshall  C.  Allaben,  Woman's  Board  of  Home  Missions  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  the  U.  S.  A.,  156  Fifth  Avenue,   New  York  City. 

Mrs.  Anna  R.  Atwater,  Christian  Woman's  Board  of  Missions,  College 
of   Missions  Building,   Indianapolis,  Ind. 

Rev.  Enoch  F.  Bell,  American  Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign 
Missions,  14  Beacon  Street,  Boston,  Mass. 

Rev.  Gilbert  N.  Brink,  D.D.,  American  Baptist  Home  Mission  Society, 
23  East  26th  Street,  New  York  City. 

Frank  L.  Brown,  World's  Sunday  School  Association,  216  Metropolitan 
Tower. 

Rev.  J.  G.  Brown,  D.D.,  Canadian  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Board,  223 
Church  Street.  Toronto,  Ont. 

Miss  Carrie  J.  Carnahan,  Woman's  Foreign  Missionary  Society  of  tlie 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  Shady  Avenue  and  Walnut  Street,  Pitts- 
burgh, Pa. 

Rev.  S.  H.  Chester.  D.D.,  Executive  Committee  of  Foreign  Mission  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S..  154  Fifth  Avenue,  North,  Nash- 
ville, Tenn. 

181 


Rev.    E.   H.    Rawlings,    D.D.,    Board    of    Missions,    Methodist   Episcopal 

Church,  South,  810  Broadway,  Nashville,  Tenn. 
Rev.  Paul  de  Schweinitz,  D.D.,   Moravian  Missions,  20  Church   Street, 

Bethlehem,  Pa. 
Rev.  Charles  L.  Fry,  Pan-Lutheran  Society  for  Mission  Work  in  Latin 

America,  846  Drexel  Building,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
Rev.  D.  D.  Forsyth,  D.D.,  Board  of  Home  Missions  and  Church  Exten- 
sion of  the  M.  E.  Church,  1026  Arch  Street,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
Rev.  R.  H.  Glover,  D.D.,  Christian  and  Missionary  Alliance,  690  Eighth 

Avenue,  New  York  City. 
Rev.  William  L  Haven,  D.D.,  American  Bible  Society,  Bible  House,  New 

York  City. 
Miss  Mabel  Head,  Woman's  Missionary  Council,  M.  E.  Church,   South, 

810  Broadway,  Nashville,  Tenn. 
Miss  Margaret  E.  Hodge,  319  South  41st  Street,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
Rev.  S.  S.  Hough,  D.D.,  Foreign  Missionary  Society  United  Brethren  in 

Christ,  404  Otterbein  Press  Building,  Dayton,  Ohio. 
Mrs.  William  F.  McDowell,  1936  Sheridan  Road,  Evanston,  111. 
Rev.  a.  McLean,  LL.D.,  Foreign  Christian  Missionary  Society,  222  West 

Fourth  Street,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 
Rev.  M.  T.  Morrill,  D.D.,  Board  of  Foreign   Missions  of  the  Christian 

Church,  C.  P.  A.  Building,  Dayton,  Ohio. 
John  R.  Mott,  LL.D.,  124  East  28th  Street,  New  York  City. 
John  R.  Pepper,  86  Madison  Avenue,  Memphis,  Tenn. 
Rev.  T.  B.  Ray,  D.D.,  Foreign  Mission  Board  of  the   Southern  Baptist 

Convention,   1103  Main  Street,  Richmond,  Va. 
*Rev.   C.  J.   Ryder,   D.D.,  American   Missionary  Association,  287  Fourth 

Avenue,  New  York  City. 
Rev.   Frank  K.   Sanders,  D.D.,   Ph.D.,  25   Madison  Avenue,   New  York 

City. 
Rev.   George  Smith,  Evangelical  Union  of   South  America,   135   Isabella 

Street,  Toronto,   Ont. 
Miss  Clarissa  H.  Spencer,  National  Board,  Y.  W.  C.  A.,  600  Lexington 

Avenue,  New  York  City. 
Elder  W.  A.   Spicer,  Seventh-Day  Adventists,  Tokoma  Park,   Washing- 
ton, D.  C. 
Rev.  Charles  E.  Tebbetts,  American  Friends'  Board  of  Foreign  Missions, 

Second  National  Bank  Building,  Richmond,  Ind. 
Rev.  Charles  L.  Thompson,  D.D.,  Board  of  Home  Missions  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  the  U.  S.  A.,  156  Fifth  Avenue,  New  York  City. 
Rev.  James  I.  Vance,  D.D.,  Fifth  Avenue  and  Church  Street,  Nashville, 

Tenn. 
Mrs.  Katherine  S.  Westfall,  Woman's  American  Baptist  Home  Mission 

Society,  2969  Vernon  Avenue,  Chicago,  111. 
Rev.  L.  B.  Wolf,  D.D.,  General  Synod  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  21 

West  Saratoga  Street,   Baltimore,  Md. 
]\Irs.  May  L.  Woodruff,  Woman's  Home  Mission  Society  of  the  IMeth- 

odist  Episcopal  Church,  Allendale,  N.  J. 

^Deceased. 

182 


APPENDIX    IV 

OFFICERS   AND    CHAIRMEN    OF   SUB-COMMITTEES 
OF  THE  REGIONAL  COMMITTEES 

Argentina  and  Uruguay 

Chairman,  Rev.  Charles  W.  Drees,  Calle  Junin  976,  Buenos  Aires. 
Vice-Chairman,  J.  Monteith  Drysdale,  Paseo  Colon  161,  Buenos  Aires. 
Secretary,  B.  A.  Shuman,  Paseo  Colon  161.  Buenos  Aires. 
Treasurer,  Dr.  Robert  Nyo,  Paseo  Colon  161,  Buenos  Aires. 

Bolivia 

President,  Rev.  J.  E.  Washburn,  Cochabamba. 
Secretary,  Rev.  A.  Haddow,  Casilla  402,  LaPaz. 

Brazil 

President,  Dr.  H.  C.  Tucker,  Caixa  454,  Rio  de  Janeiro. 
Vice-President,  Rev.  John  G.  Meem,  Caixa  763,  Rio  de  Janeiro. 
Corresponding  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  Rev.  J.  W.  Shepard,  Caixa  828, 

Rio  de  Janeiro. 
Recording    Secetary,    Rev.    F.    de    Souza,    Rua    Andrade    Neves    103, 

Nictheroy,  E.  do  Rio  de  Janeiro. 
Education,   Dr.  W.  A.  Waddell,   Mackenzie   College,   Sao  Paulo. 
Literature,   Erasmo  Braga,   Caixa,   133,   Campinas. 

Chile 

Chairman,  Rev.  Ezra  Bauman,  Casilla  795,  Concepcion. 

Vice-Chairman,  Rev.  J.  H.  McLean,  Apartado  77-D,  Santiago. 

Secretary,  A.  E.  Turner,  Casilla  88,  Valparaiso. 

Treasurer,  Col.  W.  T.   Bonnett,   Santiago. 

Survey  and  Occupation,  A.  R.  Stark,  Casilla  568,  Valparaiso. 

Education,  Rev.  W.  A.  Shelly,  Casilla  67,  Santiago. 

Literature,  Rev.  C.  S.  Braden,  Casilla  67,  Santiago. 

Message  and  Method,  Rev.   C.  M.  Spining,  Casilla  309,  Valparaiso. 

Aborigines,  Rev.  Percy  E.  Class,  Casilla  400,  Temuco. 

Church  in  the  Field,  Rev.  J.  H.  Mclean,  Apartado  77-D,  Santiago. 

Colombia 

President,  Rev.  Walter  S.   Lee,   Barranquilla. 

Secretary,  Rev.  Thos.  H.  Candor,  Apartado   100,  Barranquilla. 

Cuba 

President,  Rt.  Rev.  H.  R.  Hulse,  15th  and  8th  Sts.,  Havana. 
Vice-President,  Rev.  A.  B.  Howell,  Cristo,  Oriente. 
Executive  Secretary,  Sylvester  Jones,  Egido  12,  Havana. 
Treasurer,  T.  H.  Harris,  106  O'Reilley  St.,  Havana. 
Survey  and  Occupation,  Rev.  A.  B.  Howell,  Cristo,  Oriente. 

183 


Literature,   Dr.   J.   Orts-Gonzalez,   Sagua   la   Grande. 
Education,  Robert  Routledge,   Egido   12,   Havana. 
Evangelism,  Rev.  W.  L.  Burner,  Apartado  105,  Matanzas. 
Social  Work,  Rev.  H.  G.  Smith,  Sancta  Spiritu. 

Mexico 

President,  Dr.  John  Rowland,  Apartado  117  Bis,  Mexico  City. 
Secretary,  Rev.  J.  N.  Pascoe,  4a  de  Balderas  47,  Mexico  City. 
Literature    and    Publication,    Rev.    V.    D.    Baez,    Instituto    Metodista, 

Queretaro. 
Education,  Rev.  R.  A.  Brown,  Coyoacan,  D.   F. 
Evangelism,  Rev.  L.   Garza  Mora,  Laurens   Institute,  Monterey. 
Social  Service,  Rev.  Epigmenio  Velasco,  Gante  5,  Mexico  City. 

Peru 

President,  Rev.  John   Ritchie,  Apartado   1277,   Lima. 
Secretary,  Rev.  Hays  P.  Archerd,  Apartado  408,  Lima. 

Panama 

Chairman,  Rev.  W.  H.  Evers,  Box  156.  Ancon,  Canal  Zone. 
Secretary,  Rev.  S.  H.  Loveridge,  Culebra,  Canal  Zone. 
Survey  and  Occupation.  Rev.  Sidney  S.  Conger,  Box  291,  Balboa,  C.  Z. 
Education,  Rev.  F.  T.  Parkei\  Box  262,  Cristobal,  Canal  Zone. 
Literature,  Rev.   Chas.  W.   Ports,   Box   108.  Ancon,  Canal   Zone. 
Evangelism,   Rev.   Jameg   Hayter,   American    Bible   Society,   Cristobal, 
C.  Z. 

Porto   Rico 

President,  Rev.  C.  S.  Detweiler,  Box  57,  Santurce. 
Secretary,  Rev.   Philo  W.  Drury,  Apartado  423,  Ponce. 


184 


APPENDIX   V 

PARTIAL     LIST     OF     EVANGELICAL     PAPERS     IN 
LATIN     AMERICA 

Argentina 

El  Estandarte  Evangelico.     (16-page  weekly.) 

Editor,  Dr.  Chas.  W.  Drees,  Calle  Junin  976,  Buenos  Aires. 
El  Cruzado.     (8-page  bi-monthly.) 

Editor,   Salvation   Army,  Victoria  452,   Buenos  Aires. 
El  Testigo.     (24-page  monthly.) 

Editor,  H.  Strachan,  Mision  Evangelica,  Tandil,  F.  C.  S. 
El  Expositor.     (16-page  monthly.) 

Editor,  Rev.   S.  M.  Sowell    (Bapt.),  Calle  Est.  Unidos  3928,   Buenos 
Aires. 
El  Sendero  del  Creyente.     (20-page  monthly.) 

Editor,  Mr.  French   (Brethren),  Salta  2343,  Rosario. 
El  Mensejero.     (8-page  monthly.) 

Editor,    H.    L.    Turner     (Chr.    Alliance),    Mision    Evangelica,    Azul, 
F.  C.  S. 
La  Senda  Antigua.     (8-page  monthly.) 

Editor,  C.  H.  Miller,  SaladiUo,  F.  C.  S. 
La  Reforma. 

Editor,  Rev.  W.  C.  Morris,  Palermo,  Buenos  Aires. 

Brazil 

El  Puritano. 

Redactor,  Rev.  Alvaro  Reis,  Rua  Silva  Jardim  23,  Rio  de  Janeiro. 
O  Estandarte. 

Redactor,  E.  Carlos  Pereira   (Ind.  Presb.),  Caixa  300,  Sao  Paulo. 

O    JORNAL    BAUTISTA. 

Redactor,  Rev.  S.  L.  Ginsburg,  Caixa  352,  Rio  de  Janeiro. 
O  Testemunho. 

Administrador,  J.  W.   Clay,  Juiz   de   Fora,   ]\Iinas. 
Norte  Evangelico.     (4-page  weekly.) 

Director,  W.  M.  Thompson,  Garanhuns,  Pernambuco. 
Revista  das  Missoes  Nacionales. 

Redactor,  Andre  Jensen,  Rua  Barata  Ribeiro  295,  Rio  de  Janeiro. 

Chile 

El  Heraldo  Cristiano. 

Editor,  Rev.  J.  H.   McLean,   Casilla  2037,   Santiago. 

Colombia 

El  Evangelista  Cristiano. 

Administrador,  A.  M.  Allan,  Bogota. 

185 


Cuba 

El  Bautista. 

Director,  J.  V.  Cova,  Zulueta  36^,  Havana. 
El  Evangelista  Cubano. 

Director,  S.  A.  Neblett,  Matanzas. 

Mexico 

El  Abogado  Cristiano. 

Administrador,  R.  A.  Carhart,  Apartado  115  Bis,  Mexico  City. 
El  Faro. 

Administrador,  Carlos  Petran,  Apartado  305,  Mexico  City. 

Peru 

El  Cristiano. 

Editor,  Juan  Ritchie,  Apartado  1277,  Lima. 

Porto  Rico 

Puerto  Rico  Evangelico. 

Administrador,  P.  W.  Drury,  Ponce. 


186 


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